UN Chief's Address at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France

Progress and Interconnectedness

• 🌊 Since the last UN Ocean Conference, progress has been made, alongside a growing awareness of the interconnection between biodiversity, climate change, and pollution.
• 🎯 The Kunming Memorial Global Biodiversity Framework aims to conserve at least 30% of marine and coastal areas by 2030.
• 🤝 A historic breakthrough was the adoption of the agreement on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, with a call for swift ratification.

Key Agreements and Actions Needed

• 📜 An ambitious and legally binding treaty on plastic pollution is urged for agreement this year.
• 🚢 The International Maritime Organization committed to net zero emissions from shipping by 2050.
• ⚖️ The UN Chief stressed that multilateralism requires matching words with action through concrete national plans, science, innovation, and fair access to technology.
• 💰 Investment in SDG-14 (Life Below Water) needs to increase, as it remains one of the least funded goals, requiring public finance, development bank support, and private capital.

Ocean Health and Maritime Security

• 🏝️ Small island developing states require support for resilience and the blue economy, including restoring local fisheries and strengthening ocean-based food systems.
• ⚓ Maritime security is highlighted as a crucial pillar of sustainable development.
• 🌍 Ocean priorities must be embedded across climate, food systems, and sustainable finance, as a healthy ocean is essential for a healthy planet.

Navigating New Frontiers and Hope for the Future

• ⛏️ The deep sea must not become the "wild west," supporting the International Seabed Authority's work on seabed mining.
• 💡 The speaker expressed hope that resolve can turn the tide from plunder to protection, exclusion to equity, and short-term exploitation to long-term stewardship.
• 🐋 Historical successes like the global moratorium on commercial whaling demonstrate that whale populations can recover and marine life can return when protected.
• 🌟 The opportunity exists to restore marine abundance, making the ocean teeming with life a legacy for future generations.