French President Macron Says It’s Time for an Agreement on the Oceans

On the eve of the third United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the urgent need for a global consensus on protecting the world’s oceans. As pressures mount for nations to transform longstanding verbal commitments into actionable ocean protections, Macron’s call for unity and action resonates deeply.

Addressing a forum of scientists at the conference, Macron criticized the recent retraction of climate funding, particularly pointing out its international implications. He remarked, “We find ourselves at a challenging juncture, where substantial dependency on foreign funding for scientific research is being questioned, posing critical challenges to multilateral efforts and agencies working tirelessly for environmental solutions.”

The absence of the United States from this pivotal summit in Nice, following its withdrawal from key climate agreements, compounds the challenges faced by conference participants. Despite this gap, Macron is rallying support for a moratorium on deep-sea mineral extraction, a practice he deems irrational and perilous. “We need a global agreement,” he stated passionately. “It’s sheer insanity to exploit unknowable oceanic environments. This decision isn’t about stopping; it’s about protecting what we don’t fully understand.”

This third edition of the UN Ocean Conference sees Macron leading the charge with commitments from approximately 30 heads of state and government to halt deep-sea exploitation. “Our resolve is unwavering,” he reiterated, “exploring untapped depths without due caution is reckless. We must take action.”

The conference is set to host over 50 world leaders and thousands of delegates comprising scientists and environmental advocates. The weeklong summit aims primarily to advance discussions around ratifying the High Seas Treaty. This treaty represents a significant step towards enabling conservation initiatives within international waters.

Delegates began arriving in Nice to engage critically with the agenda that emphasizes addressing emergent threats to ocean ecosystems. The United Nations has raised alarms on the global emergency threatening the oceans, characterized by rising ocean temperatures, marine plastic pollution, and unsustainable exploitation of marine resources.

The summit symbolizes both a call to action and a beacon of hope — urging nations and leaders to move beyond promises, endorsing tangible measures that will secure oceanic health for future generations.