As world leaders gather on the French Riviera to confront mounting threats to the oceans, momentum is building behind a global treaty that aims to bring order to the lawless 'wild west' of the high seas.
Speaking at the opening of the third United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, French President Emmanuel Macron injected optimism into the global effort to safeguard the planet’s oceans, expressing confidence that the landmark High Seas Treaty could enter into force by the end of the year.
Joined by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Macron welcomed delegates with the announcement that 50 countries have already ratified the treaty, with a further 15 pledging to follow suit – just short of the 60 required to activate it.
“We are within reach of making history for ocean protection,” Macron said. “Let’s not miss this opportunity.”
Posting on X, Macron wrote: "Every action taken to protect our oceans is a transformation of consciousness to maintain balance and preserve biodiversity. Let's make the Nice conference a success together."
The High Seas Treaty, adopted in 2023 after years of negotiation, would allow countries to establish protected marine zones in international waters – areas that make up nearly two-thirds of the world’s oceans yet remain largely unregulated.
At present, only around 1 percent of these waters enjoy any legal protection.
World leaders arrive in France for UN summit on ocean threats
Ecosytems close to collapse
Macron’s remarks came alongside a stirring appeal from Guterres, who warned that human activity – ranging from illegal fishing and plastic pollution to the unchecked warming of ocean waters – was pushing marine ecosystems to the brink.
“The ocean is the planet’s shared lifeline. But we are failing it,” Guterres said.
He pointed to collapsing fish stocks, rising sea levels, and acidification as clear signs of an ocean in distress, adding the world can not let the deepest oceans "become the wild west."
Oceans absorb about 30 percent of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions and are a vital buffer against climate change. But hotter waters are damaging ecosystems and threatening this natural carbon sink.
“These are symptoms of a system in crisis – unravelling food chains, destroying livelihoods, and fuelling instability,” Guterres said.
He called on world leaders to accelerate ratification of the treaty and increase investment in ocean health, noting that just $10 billion was committed globally between 2015 and 2019 – far below the $175 billion per year the UN says is needed.
Ocean’s survival hinges on finding the billions needed to save it
US delegation absent
While the United States has yet to ratify the treaty or send senior officials to the conference, Macron was undeterred.
“We know where some nations stand, but momentum is building,” he said. “Let’s deliver for future generations.”
The conference also saw a contribution from the UK’s Prince William, who described the challenge of protecting the oceans as “unlike any we have faced before.”
