The Secretary -General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, today, Monday, called on the leaders of the countries of the world to ratify a treaty to protect the oceans that allow the establishment of marine reserves, in international waters, from overfishing, plastic pollution and high sea water that threatens sensitive ecosystems and people who depend on them.
“The oceans are the largest joint resource, but we are short of it,” said Guterres -in a speech at the opening of the third UN conference of oceans in the French city of Nice, noting the collapse of the fish stock, the rise in the water level and the increase in the acidity of the ocean water.
The conference activities started in the French coastal city with the presence of at least 100 delegations from different countries of the world, including about 50 heads of state or government, thousands of delegates, scholars, representatives of NGOs, civil society and all parties concerned with preserving the oceans.
Guterres warned – in his opening speech – that illegal fishing, plastic pollution and high sea temperatures threaten sensitive environmental systems and people who depend on them.
The oceans are a basic and important barrier in front of climate change, but when its water becomes hotter due to the high temperature, marine environmental systems are destroyed and threatening the ability of the oceans to absorb carbon dioxide.
The oceans produce about 50% of the oxygen, absorb about 30% of carbon dioxide emissions, and pick up more than 90% of the extra heat caused by these emissions.
Oceans in a crisis
Scientists warn that the loss of environmental systems, climate change, plastic pollution, and excessive use of marine resources are all factors that push our oceans to the point of no return.
“These are symptoms of a system in a crisis, which leads to each other, dismantling food chains, destroying livelihoods and increasing insecurity,” Guterres said.
The Upper Seas Treaty – which was adopted in 2023 – allows countries to establish naval reserves in international waters that cover nearly two -thirds of the oceans, and are largely not organized.
The treaty will not enter into force until after 60 countries are ratified. French Foreign Minister Jean -Noel Barrow expected this to be done before the end of the year, and only about 1% of international waters known as the “high seas” are now protected.
For his part, French President Emmanuel Macron, participating in hosting the conference with – Costa Rica – told the delegations that 50 countries have ratified the treaty and have promised 15 other countries.
The movement of countries to transform promises over the years comes to real protection of the oceans at a time when the United States withdraws from its financing from climate projects, and some European countries reduce their obligations related to green policy in the context of their endeavor to support their weak economies and repel extremist right currents.
The ocean summit in Nice is witnessing the province of the United States. Rebecca Hobard, director of the “Hoodle Coalition”, confirmed that Washington has not yet ratified the treaty, and will not do so during the conference.
“If they are not believed, they will not be binding on it,” she said.
Macron told reporters yesterday, commenting on the Washington boycott of the conference, “It is not surprising, we know the position of the American administration on these issues.” For his part, British Prince William said that protecting the surroundings of the planet is a challenge “we have not faced before.”
Ocean experts also considered this conference an opportunity to mobilize investments in favor of the ocean economy, which has long faced difficulty in attracting significant financing obligations.
At a two -day meeting for bankers and investors in Monaco during the weekend, the donors and investors from the private sector and public banks pledged to allocate 8.7 billion euros (about 10 billion dollars) over a period of 5 years to support the renewed and sustainable blue economy.
The United Nations stated that the ocean health investments amounted to only 10 billion dollars from 2015 to 2019, which is much lower than $ 175 billion required annually.
To address this gap, the United Nations said yesterday that it started working to design a new financing facility, which is scheduled to be launched in 2028 with the aim of liberalizing billions of dollars to restore ocean health by mobilizing new and varied sources of capital.
The conference – which concludes on June 13 – targets the international crowd to protect the oceans and implement the 14th goal of sustainable development goals related to preserving the oceans, seas and marine resources, and using them in a sustainable manner.