‘Our Oceans Are Burning,’ Says President of France, Calling for Revitalizing Our Collective Action, as Nice Conference Opens
NICE, FRANCE, 9 June — The ocean is in crisis, but recovery is still possible if the world acts urgently, speakers told an international conference today on the shores of the Mediterranean, as they underscored the ocean’s essential role in sustaining life — from producing oxygen to supporting billions of people and enabling global trade.
“What was lost in a generation can return in a generation,” said United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres in his opening remarks to the third UN Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development (UN Ocean Conference). “The ocean of our ancestors — teeming with life and diversity — can be more than legend. It can be our legacy.”
He outlined mounting threats to the ocean, which covers over 70 per cent of Earth’s surface — including overfishing, illegal practices, plastic pollution and climate change-induced phenomena, such as acidification and sea-level rise. Among his calls to action were swift ratification of the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, adoption of a legally binding global treaty on plastic pollution by year’s end, and increased investment in Sustainable Development Goal 14 — one of the least funded SDGs.
“We live in an age of turmoil, but the resolve I see here gives me hope,” he said — hope to turn the tide, shifting from plunder to protection, from exclusion to equity, and from short-term exploitation to long-term stewardship. “We know it’s possible,” he asserted.
Co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, the 2025 UN Ocean Conference runs through 13 June under the theme “Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean”. Bringing together Governments, the UN system, civil society, scientists, the private sector, Indigenous Peoples and other key stakeholders, it builds on previous conferences in New York (2017) and Lisbon (2022) and seeks to adopt the Nice Ocean Action Plan comprising a political declaration and a list of voluntary commitments from a wide range of actors.
“We know what’s at stake,” said Emmanuel Macron, President of France, serving as Co-President of the Conference, warning that “our oceans are burning”. However, “the ocean brings us all together”, he said, citing over 120 countries represented and more than 100,000 participants at the Conference. “To win this battle, we must revitalize our collective action”, he emphasized.
“Let us protect our ecosystems — because we don’t know what would emanate otherwise”, he said, also adding: “The ocean is not for sale; Greenland is not for sale; the Arctic is not for sale.” These are common goods the international community must defend together.
He went on to underscore the urgent need to reduce plastic pollution, noting that 8 million tons of plastic enter the ocean every year. He also called for intensified efforts to combat illegal fishing, praising recent moves to increase oversight. “This is the only way to create transparency and eradicate illegal fisheries”, he said, pointing out that such practices occur in the world’s poorest countries. “It is double looting — stealing both biodiversity and vital resources.”
“For decades now”, said Rodrigo Chaves Robles, President of Costa Rica and Co-President of the Conference, “we've treated the ocean like an infinite pantry or food store. We’ve also treated it like a global waste dump.” At the current pace, he warned, “there would be more plastics than fish in the ocean” in 25 years. But it’s not all bad news. From the same ocean that has been a victim, the solution may come if “we have the courage” to chance.
In Costa Rica, that change has already started just as decades ago when the country made the courageous and radical decision to abolish the army and protect forests. “In the same way, we are now declaring peace with the sea”, he said, emphasizing that it is possible to take advantage of the ocean economy through policies that add value to people without neglecting the environment.
“The future of our oceans is in our hands”, said Philemon Yang, President of the General Assembly, emphasizing that while there exist commitments, it is vital to finance those ambitions. For small developing countries, the ocean provides vital resources for their survival. In this regard, he looks forward to the adoption of a political declaration and voluntary commitments to be announced during the Conference.
“We gather here with a sense of urgency and shared responsibility for the health of our ocean”, said Li Junhua, Secretary-General of the Conference and Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, noting that progress on SDG 14 has been unacceptably slow. Highlighting the 2,000 voluntary commitments already registered, he expressed hope that those will translate into 2,000 real solutions.
Renaud Muselier, President of the Regional Council of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, said that the Mediterranean Sea plays a special role in the history of mankind. “Protecting the Mediterranean is not an option, it is a duty”, he stressed, emphasizing the importance of finding local solutions particularly in banning plastics and promoting the electrification of transport.
“For a few days, those who refuse to stand idle, have met here in Nice”, said Christian Estrosi, Mayor of Nice. “We, the people of the sea, who live on the coast of the whole world, expect the Nice accords to become for the ocean what the Paris accords became for the climate 10 years ago”, he said.
Closing out the opening segment was Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil, as the host of the thirtieth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. It is important that “we bank on multilateralism” and overcome differences that are seen as insurmountable, he said, warning against letting the ocean becoming “a stage of geopolitical arguments”. “The ocean is feverish”, he stated, adding that Brazil has included oceans and climate issues in its school curriculums so that future generations know that “saving the planet is for humanity’s sake”.
The Conference then began its general discussion, which is expected to feature more than 150 speakers during the week.
Evariste Ndayishimiye, President of Burundi, speaking for the African Union, stated that his continent is a maritime power, with more than 47,000 kilometres of coastline, 39 coastal States and six islands. But it also has 16 landlocked countries, including his, whose economic future depends directly on their secure access to maritime spaces. “Doing justice to these nations is not only a matter of international law: it is a requirement of geographical solidarity and continental cohesion,” he said, stressing that “the seas and oceans must not be geographical privileges, but shared levers for sustainable prosperity”.
Surangel S. Whipps, President of Palau, speaking for the Alliance of Small Island States, said that her group of countries cannot save the ocean alone. “We’ve done our part”, he said, adding: “But leadership without partnership is not enough.” Speaking in his national capacity, he said that Palau created the world’s first shark sanctuary, banned bottom trawling and deep-sea mining in its exclusive economic zone, and designated more than 50 per cent of its ocean as a marine sanctuary. Under the Unlocking Blue Pacific Prosperity plan, 22 Pacific nations and territories stood together and agreed to sustainably manage 100 per cent of their ocean — protecting at least 30 per cent. “Together, we have created the largest collective marine conservation effort in history”, he said.
Abdul Latif Rashid, President of Iraq, speaking for the Group of 77 and China, highlighted the critical role of oceans in producing oxygen, regulating climate and supporting food security and economic growth. He voiced deep concern over the degradation of oceans due to pollution, overfishing and climate change impacts, emphasizing the disproportionate effects on food security and coastal communities. He underscored the global nature of ocean health and the necessity of including developing countries’ voices in ocean frameworks. The Group is committed to advancing marine protection, sustainable fisheries and ocean science, he said, urging global cooperation to safeguard oceans and address the funding gap for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14, particularly for developing States.
José Maria Neves, President of Cabo Verde, said that his country is advancing its Blue Agenda through marine conservation, ecotourism, sustainable fisheries and climate-resilient policies, but called for more just and effective international support mechanisms. He urged action on inclusive governance, accessible climate and blue finance, and tailored partnerships. He expressed hope that “Nice become a decisive turning point for more inclusive multilateralism” and truly transformative international cooperation.
“Sound science must underpin sound policy”, said Nikos Christodoulides, President of Cyprus, highlighting that his country implemented its voluntary commitments made at the 2017 Ocean Conference, including the mapping of critical marine habitats across its coaster waters. He pledged that his country will further protect its coastal areas through expanded and better management of marine protected areas and complete comprehensive mapping down to 1,000 metres by 2030. It will also enhance regional cooperation through marine protection agreements, he said.
“We must practice true multilateralism and safeguard the UN-centred international system,” said Han Zheng, Vice-President of China, noting that his country is building the twenty-first century “Maritime Silkroad” to promote mutual benefits and connectivity. Over the next three years, Beijing will carry out more than 100 projects to help developing countries, especially small island developing States to implement the SDGs, and provide 5,000 training opportunities for capacity-building.
“The environment of Madagascar begins and ends in the ocean”, said Andry Nirina Rajoelina, the country’s President, voicing concern about marine environment degradation. As the largest island in the Indian Ocean, his country has 5,000 kilometres of coastline and is an environmental sanctuary. However, he highlighted its vulnerability to climate change impacts. “We transform our worries into will”, he said, stressing the importance of regional cooperation through the Indian Ocean Commission.
“In the Caribbean”, said Luis Abinader, President of the Dominican Republic, “every day, we’re feeling the impact of global warming on our coasts”, noting that his country has responded to the challenges. However, “response cannot be unilateral”, he stressed, calling for shared responsibility.
Philip Isdor Mpango, Vice-President of the United Republic of Tanzania, stressed the need to scale up financing for ocean action, with a particular focus on supporting low-income countries and small island developing States, where limited fiscal space and debt burdens hinder the achievement of commitments made under SDG 14. “Equally urgent is full implementation of the high seas treaty to address emerging threats of unsustainable deep-sea mining, along with the establishment of legally binding instruments to combat plastic pollution,” he said.
Pham Minh Chinh, Prime Minister of Viet Nam, speaking for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), said that “the ocean must remain a realm of peace, cooperation and shared responsibility”. Maritime disputes must be resolved by the imperatives of law and diplomacy, through peaceful means in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, not by the logic of might and coercion. “Stability at sea is the foundation of prosperity on land”, he added, underscoring efforts to strengthen maritime cooperation, enhance mutual trust and confidence and exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities at seas.
The third UN Ocean Conference comes “at a time when multilateralism is being questioned”, said Pedro Sánchez, President of Spain. Reaffirming his country’s commitment to multilateralism, he drew attention to the upcoming fourth International Conference on Financing for Development his country is hosting in Seville. He emphasized that every country must adopt tangible measures at the national level. “Spain is doing its part”, he said, noting progress towards protecting 30 per cent of its marine areas by 2030.