By Sama Marwan,
France is preparing to host the third session of the United Nations Ocean Conference, which will take place in the city of Nice from June 9 to 13, 2025. The event is being described as a pivotal moment for the future of the planet, where world leaders, heads of government, tens of thousands of scientists, researchers, environmental activists, private sector representatives, and civil society will gather to develop a clear and effective action plan to protect the oceans.
French Ambassador to Cairo, Éric Chevallier, affirmed that France will advocate during the conference for an ambitious vision that aims to preserve and sustainably use the oceans, based on clear and practical commitments.
Chevallier stated:
“The ocean is not just a natural component; it is a public and humanitarian good. It feeds us, protects us, transports us, and provides us with energy, resources, and scientific knowledge.”
However, despite their importance, Chevallier warns that oceans face increasing threats due to pollution, overfishing, rising sea levels, and the rapid degradation of ecosystems—phenomena all exacerbated by climate change. He added:
“About 8 million tons of plastic are dumped into the oceans every year, and more than one-third of fish stocks are overexploited, while the high seas remain beyond effective governance.”
The Nice Conference is expected to launch the “Nice Agreements”, which are anticipated to become a legally binding international charter for the protection of the oceans, comparable in importance to the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. These agreements are also expected to support the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The French ambassador stressed that discussions at the conference must be grounded in solid scientific evidence, and should aim to deliver tangible results in three main areas:
- Improving international ocean governance,
- Mobilizing public and private financial resources,
- Enhancing ocean-related knowledge and scientific research.
In this context, Chevallier highlighted the urgency of accelerating the ratification of the new agreement to protect marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction, which still requires ratification by 60 countries to enter into force. He called for filling the legal void that allows for illegal activities such as unregulated fishing and marine pollution.
He also emphasized the importance of investing in the “blue economy”, to ensure the renewal of marine resources and to strike a balance between development and environmental preservation. He noted that the Nice Conference will witness new commitments in maritime transport, trade, tourism, and green investments.
The French ambassador concluded his article by calling for greater awareness and knowledge about the oceans, saying:
“How can we protect what we don’t know? We know more about the surface of the moon and Mars than we do about the depths of our oceans. It’s time to mobilize science, education, and innovation to understand this blue treasure that covers 70% of Earth’s surface.”
He concluded:
“The ocean is not just an environmental issue—it lies at the heart of humanity’s future. And we, as a united world, must rise to the challenge and make the Nice Conference a turning point in the history of protecting our planet.”
