“The Nice Agreements should be as significant as the Paris Agreement,” said Oceans Ambassador Olivier Poivre d’Arvor this Tuesday on France Inter, as the UN Ocean Conference opens this Sunday in Nice.
Speaking on France Inter, Olivier Poivre d’Arvor called for us to “defend the ocean” and “make it a truly shared cause,” as the UN Ocean Conference takes place in Nice from June 9 to 13. The event will gather world leaders, thousands of delegates, scientists, and NGO representatives to discuss measures for protecting marine life. “The Nice Agreements should be as significant as the Paris Agreement—this is crucial, it’s urgent,” warned the French author and diplomat, who also serves as Ambassador for the Oceans.
One of the key goals of the conference will be to establish a legal framework for ocean protection. “The issue at stake during the UN Ocean Conference is about co-ownership. The ocean is a common good. There are three main parts: first, the exclusive economic zones, which belong to individual countries; second, what’s called the high seas—where we’re seeking to finally establish regulations; and third, the deep seabed. These three parts of this co-ownership are subject to tensions,” explained Olivier Poivre d’Arvor.
At the heart of the discussions will be the treaty on the high seas. This treaty, adopted in 2023 and signed by 115 countries, aims to protect marine ecosystems in international waters, which cover nearly half of the planet. So far, only 28 countries and the European Union have ratified it, out of the 60 ratifications needed for it to enter into force. Olivier Poivre d’Arvor hopes that more countries will ratify it following the Nice conference. “We are giving ourselves until December 15, 2025,” he said, “this will be the Christmas gift we place at the ocean’s doorstep.”
Several projects will also be presented during the conference. Among them, Olivier Poivre d’Arvor mentioned the “Neptune Mission,” already highlighted by Emmanuel Macron in February, which “will explore the entire ocean” over the next 15 years. Additionally, on the sidelines of the summit, the Starfish Barometer will be launched on June 8 — “the first ocean barometer, which will provide the ocean’s health status.” It will be published annually on World Ocean Day and will allow the measurement of progress and setbacks in ocean health.
Olivier Poivre d’Arvor also expects “commitments on the decarbonization of maritime transport.” “We will announce total decarbonization, zero carbon by 2050,” he affirmed, “all shipowners will commit to this goal.”
Source: francebleu
