The 3rd UN Summit for “Ocean Protection” began in Nice, France, with the ambition to set immediate goals for the salvation of the seas from overfishing and infection. Response from Paris

“If the earth heats, the ocean boils.” In these words, French President Emmanuel Macron declared this morning to Nice the launch of the 3rd UN Summit on “Ocean Protection”.

More than 63 leaders from all over the world attend the meeting, including Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. They called it “a mobilization conference for the protection of the oceans”.

The French president emphasized with enthusiasm: “Never in the history of mankind has so many people have gathered to protect the oceans (…) we have a duty to mobilize because science is clear,” he added.

Prior to the start of work, President Macron expressed optimism that the Treaty on the open sea also aimed at protecting areas beyond 370 km from the coast will be ratified by several countries in order to enter into force.

Ambitious goals

The end of fishing with “seabed” seems to be one of the immediate dominant goals of the conference. The protection of 30 % of the seas by 2030 will also be sought and the increase in ocean protection, which is currently limited to 8.36 % according to Greenpeace.

In the – politically – twin hours of the country, the French are marking the sudden activation of President Macron for the ecology, which he had long overlooked. They see it as a way out in the policy weakening it has suffered after its government’s dismantling just a year ago (June 9, 2024).

It should be noted that in order to welcome the high guests for the conference, Emmanuel Macron chose to go to Nice (from Monaco where he was), with the famous “Thalassa” ship known to the broad public for his marine environment. In Monaco, he participated in a two -day forum for the “blue economy”. With him, US researchers, frustrated by Political Trump, who eventually accompanied him to Nice, by ship Thalassa.