Emmanuel Macron Outlines Eight Objectives for Ocean Summit in Nice
A global call to action as leaders gather to address urgent challenges facing the world's oceans.
In anticipation of the third United Nations Conference on the Ocean, scheduled to take place in Nice from June 9 to June 13, 2023, a preliminary summit named SOS Ocean convened in Paris.
Experts, government officials, and political leaders from across the globe gathered at the Musée de la Marine to discuss pressing strategies for ocean protection, highlighting the critical state of the world's oceans.
French President Emmanuel Macron concluded the summit by announcing eight key objectives for the upcoming meeting in Nice, a significant platform aimed at rallying international support for ocean preservation.
The summit will be preceded by the Blue Economy and Finance Forum in Monaco on June 7 and 8, underscoring Monaco's historical commitment to ocean knowledge and protection.
Protection of the High Seas: President Macron emphasized that the high seas, which account for 64% of the ocean's surface, must not remain a lawless area.
He pointed out that the international treaty for the protection of the high seas and marine biodiversity (BBNJ) has been adopted by 110 countries, but the Nice summit aims to secure commitments from an additional 60 states to ensure its enactment and to enable sustainable management of these waters.
Commitment to Sustainable Fishing: The president stressed the importance of the ocean to food sovereignty, stating that failing to end global overfishing presents a significant risk.
He highlighted the need to combat illegal fishing, which constitutes 10% to 20% of total production, and to develop localized fishing practices that do not disrupt ecosystems.
Achieving 30% Ocean Protection by 2030: Currently, only 8.5% of ocean areas are protected.
Macron called on nations to announce the creation of new marine protected areas at the Nice summit to work towards the goal of 30% protection by 2030.
Decarbonizing Maritime Transport: Macron expressed hope for tangible outcomes regarding maritime transport emissions at the summit.
The objective is to achieve total carbon neutrality in the shipping sector by 2050, necessitating significant investments in sustainable fuels.
Combating Plastic Pollution: Macron remarked on the disappointments of previous international meetings regarding plastic pollution, citing a lack of progress due to blockages and non-cooperative behavior.
He called for a collective effort during the Nice summit to address this issue, emphasizing that the Mediterranean should not hold the title of the world's most polluted sea.
Mobilizing New Financing: Recognizing the ocean as a vital area for investment, Macron outlined the importance of mobilizing new financial resources, including philanthropic contributions.
Deploying Local Actions: The creation of a coalition of coastal cities and regions was proposed to foster cooperation and funding opportunities.
The European Union is expected to play a role in this initiative, with a European Ocean Pact set to be introduced at the Nice summit on June 9.
Supporting Science: Macron underscored the necessity of basing public actions on scientific results.
He pointed out the challenges faced when funding is cut by states that dispute scientific findings, warning that there is no alternative planet.
The call to action revolves around making efforts to ensure the sustainability of the current one.
Experts, government officials, and political leaders from across the globe gathered at the Musée de la Marine to discuss pressing strategies for ocean protection, highlighting the critical state of the world's oceans.
French President Emmanuel Macron concluded the summit by announcing eight key objectives for the upcoming meeting in Nice, a significant platform aimed at rallying international support for ocean preservation.
The summit will be preceded by the Blue Economy and Finance Forum in Monaco on June 7 and 8, underscoring Monaco's historical commitment to ocean knowledge and protection.
Protection of the High Seas: President Macron emphasized that the high seas, which account for 64% of the ocean's surface, must not remain a lawless area.
He pointed out that the international treaty for the protection of the high seas and marine biodiversity (BBNJ) has been adopted by 110 countries, but the Nice summit aims to secure commitments from an additional 60 states to ensure its enactment and to enable sustainable management of these waters.
Commitment to Sustainable Fishing: The president stressed the importance of the ocean to food sovereignty, stating that failing to end global overfishing presents a significant risk.
He highlighted the need to combat illegal fishing, which constitutes 10% to 20% of total production, and to develop localized fishing practices that do not disrupt ecosystems.
Achieving 30% Ocean Protection by 2030: Currently, only 8.5% of ocean areas are protected.
Macron called on nations to announce the creation of new marine protected areas at the Nice summit to work towards the goal of 30% protection by 2030.
Decarbonizing Maritime Transport: Macron expressed hope for tangible outcomes regarding maritime transport emissions at the summit.
The objective is to achieve total carbon neutrality in the shipping sector by 2050, necessitating significant investments in sustainable fuels.
Combating Plastic Pollution: Macron remarked on the disappointments of previous international meetings regarding plastic pollution, citing a lack of progress due to blockages and non-cooperative behavior.
He called for a collective effort during the Nice summit to address this issue, emphasizing that the Mediterranean should not hold the title of the world's most polluted sea.
Mobilizing New Financing: Recognizing the ocean as a vital area for investment, Macron outlined the importance of mobilizing new financial resources, including philanthropic contributions.
Deploying Local Actions: The creation of a coalition of coastal cities and regions was proposed to foster cooperation and funding opportunities.
The European Union is expected to play a role in this initiative, with a European Ocean Pact set to be introduced at the Nice summit on June 9.
Supporting Science: Macron underscored the necessity of basing public actions on scientific results.
He pointed out the challenges faced when funding is cut by states that dispute scientific findings, warning that there is no alternative planet.
The call to action revolves around making efforts to ensure the sustainability of the current one.
