Nice: The high-level 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference, aimed at supporting the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14-conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources-opens today in Nice, France.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the conference is co-hosted by the Governments of France and Costa Rica. The four-day event began with strong calls to accelerate action and mobilize all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres urged countries to make bold pledges in his opening remarks. He emphasized the urgency of the situation, expressing hope that the resolve displayed at the conference could lead to significant change.
President Emmanuel Macron of France called for a revitalization of multilateralism, stressing the need for a collective effort involving heads of state, scientists, and other key stakeholders. Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves Robles emphasized the necessity of global understanding and action to p
rotect the ocean.
The conference gathers world leaders, scientists, private sector representatives, civil society, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities to discuss the ocean’s critical role in climate regulation, food security, and biodiversity preservation. The ocean faces increasing threats from climate change, pollution, overfishing, and biodiversity loss.
The event is expected to conclude with the adoption of an intergovernmentally negotiated political declaration and a registry of voluntary commitments, collectively named the Nice Ocean Action Plan. These outcomes aim to catalyze urgent, inclusive, and science-based action to protect the ocean for both current and future generations.
United Nations Under-Secretary-General Li Junhua, the Conference Secretary-General, stressed the need for substantial investment and binding commitments that can withstand political and economic challenges.