The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has called for the restoration of marine ecosystems and increased support for developing island nations at the start of the UN Ocean Conference in Nice. Guterres emphasized the urgent need to address the devastating impact of human activities on the world’s oceans, stating that the ocean is the “ultimate common resource” but is being failed by human actions.
He highlighted the alarming decline of fish stocks, excessive consumption and illegal fishing, which are pushing marine life to the brink of existence. Guterres also criticized the pollution caused by plastic, which is suffocating ecosystems and the increased carbon emissions that are contributing to ocean acidification, coral reef destruction and sea-level rise.
The UN Secretary-General warned that if the current course is not changed, the consequences will be catastrophic, with rising sea levels threatening to flood deltas, destroy harvests and engulf coastal lines, putting the survival of many island nations at risk.
However, Guterres also saw an opportunity for change, citing progress made since the last ocean conference in Lisbon. He commended the “Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework” for its commitment to preserving at least 30 percent of marine and coastal areas by 2030 and the adoption of the Convention on the Protection of the Biodiversity of Marine Ecosystems Beyond National Jurisdiction.
Guterres urged all delegations to ratify the agreement and called for an ambitious and legally binding treaty on plastic pollution to be agreed upon by the end of the year. He also emphasized the need for a successful conclusion of the fisheries agreement currently being discussed in the World Trade Organization.
The Secretary-General emphasized the importance of multilateralism, stating that it only works if actions follow words. He lamented the current lack of funding, particularly for small island developing states, which need support to restore their local fisheries and strengthen their marine-based food systems.
Guterres concluded by emphasizing the possibility of restoring the richness of the oceans, saying that what was lost in a generation can be regained in a generation. He envisioned the ocean of our ancestors, full of life and diversity, as a legacy for future generations.