UN Ocean Conference Opens With Calls For Urgent Action To Safeguard The Health Of The Ocean
'I urge all countries to come forward with bold pledges,' United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said in his opening remarks to the Conference this morning. 'We live in an age of turmoil, but the resolve I see here gives me hope,' he said. 'Hope that we can turn the tide.'
President Emmanuel Macron of France, also addressing the opening ceremony, said, 'we need to revitalize multilateralism behind the UN Secretary General,' adding that, 'the only way to meet that challenge, is to mobilize all actors, heads of state and government speaking here, but also scientists.'
President Rodrigo Chaves Robles of Costa Rica stated that 'this summit must be remembered as the time when the world understood that looking after the ocean is not simply an option. Rather, it is a moral, economic, and indeed we need minimum protection.'
Bringing together world leaders, scientists, private sector representatives, civil society, Indigenous Peoples and local communities, the high-level gathering underscores the ocean's vital role in regulating the climate, sustaining food security and livelihoods, and preserving biodiversity.
The ocean is under growing pressure from climate change and human activity, with record heat severely impacting marine life, and escalating threats from pollution, overfishing and biodiversity loss pushing marine ecosystems to the brink. The Conference is expected to adopt an intergovernmentally negotiated political declaration, which, along with a registry of voluntary commitments from across sectors, will be referred to as the Nice Ocean Action Plan – outcomes aimed at catalyzing urgent, inclusive, and science-based action to safeguard the ocean for present and future generations.
'The time for incremental progress is over. We need billions, not millions, in investment. We need binding commitments that survive political transitions and economic pressures,' United Nations Under-Secretary-General Li Junhua, the Conference Secretary-General said at the opening.
Key issues under discussion during the five-day conference include:
The Marine Biodiversity Treaty (BBNJ Agreement): Advancing ratifications of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction, which was adopted in 2023 and covers nearly two-thirds of the ocean. Entry into force of the Agreement is critical for the health and resilience of the ocean and can make vital contributions to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 14. A Special Treaty Event held later today, provides an opportunity for States to sign or ratify the Agreement.
Sustainable Fisheries: Ending illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing practices, while encouraging science-based, community-led approaches to rebuild fish stocks and minimize ecosystem damage.
Marine Protected Areas: Advancing progress on the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework target of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030.
Decarbonizing Maritime Transport: Accelerating the transition to low- and zero-emission fuels and electrifying port infrastructure, recognizing early leadership from both national governments and the maritime industry.
Plastic Pollution: Generating renewed political will and momentum for tackling plastic pollution, with negotiations resuming in August 2025.
Financing: Unlocking new finance streams — including philanthropic capital, blended finance, and public-private partnerships — to support coastal resilience and sustainable blue economies.
Science and Governance: Underscoring evidence-based policymaking and the role of cutting-edge research, observation systems, and Indigenous knowledge in shaping effective ocean governance.
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RNZ News
3 hours ago
- RNZ News
NZ is prepared to take ‘further action' over the Gaza crisis – here are 5 options
By Treasa Dunworth of Naeema, a 30-year-old Palestinian mother, sits with her malnourished 2-year-old son Yazan in their damaged home in the Al-Shati refugee camp, west of Gaza City, on July 23, 2025. Photo: AFP / Omar Al-Qattaa Is the tide turning over the crisis in Gaza? International pressure and condemnation of Israel's actions has been increasing, with news and images of malnourished and starving Palestinians now hard to avoid. This week, US President Donald Trump has acknowledged there is "real starvation" happening , and instructed Israel to allow "every ounce of food" into Gaza. And last week, the foreign ministers of 28 states - including New Zealand - issued a strongly worded Joint Statement on Humanitarian Situation in Gaza and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, calling for an "immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire" and condemning Israel's denial of essential humanitarian assistance. 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NZ Herald
4 hours ago
- NZ Herald
War has been waged at great cost to Palestinian civilians, and to Israel's standing in the world
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It is failing to do so, Conricus said, because of 'an incoherent Israeli strategy, tremendous international and regional pressure against Israel, and Hamas' willingness to leverage the suffering of the civilian population for its own cynical benefit'. Israel needs to 'strategically regroup, formulate a plan to defeat Hamas and provide a regionally and internationally acceptable solution for the future of the Gaza Strip', said Conricus, an analyst for the Foundation for Defence of Democracies, a research group in Washington. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. Written by: Patrick Kingsley Photographs by: Saher Alghorra ©2025 THE NEW YORK TIMES
Scoop
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Historic Multi-Movement Call To Action: World Must Choose Peace Over Profit, Democracy Over Destruction
As the world marks 80 years since the atomic bombings of Japan, the ITUC has joined forces with organisations for peace, climate and economic justice in a global call for a new model of common security. The joint, multi-movement declaration warns of a growing existential threat from a 'billionaire coup' that is undermining democracy, fuelling militarism and accelerating inequality. Governments must reorient global priorities from weapons and war to social justice and human development. ITUC General Secretary Luc Triangle said: 'Democracy is being stolen by a handful of billionaires and far-right forces, while public money is being poured into weapons instead of healthcare, education or climate solutions. This historic joint statement is a wake-up call and a call to action. We need governments to act with urgent commitments to peace, justice and dignity for all. Working people demand a world built on democracy, sustainability and shared prosperity.' The ITUC and its allies call for: Universal ratification of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, and full-scale nuclear disarmament. Adoption of progressive and coordinated global tax reforms, including a UN Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation. Implementation of living wages and decent work for all, with strong labour rights and support for union organising and collective bargaining. Reduction in global military expenditures, to redirect funds towards public services, social protection and climate action. Creation of a United Nations Fair Conversion mechanism to support countries shifting from military-based economies to sustainable industries. Universal expansion of social protection systems, especially for marginalised groups such as women, migrant workers and those in informal work. Integration of disarmament and sustainability into national climate plans, ensuring military industries are part of emissions reduction strategies. The statement also stresses the need to democratise and reform multilateral institutions, such as the UN, to place peace, human rights and sustainable development at the centre of global governance. It calls on governments at the World Social Summit to adopt the New Social Contract to tackle the root causes of inequality and conflict, while the G20 summit should align economic policies with principles of peace and sustainability by reducing military spending and investing in climate resilience and human development. Key facts from the joint statement include: In 2024, the top 1 per cent owned more wealth than 95% of the global population combined. Global military spending reached $2.718 trillion in 2024, a 9.4% rise from the previous year. Low- and middle-income countries, many struggling with poverty, accounted for 35% of global military spending in 2022. Over 100 million people are currently displaced by conflict and persecution. Militaries collectively have the fourth largest carbon footprint in the world. Along with the ITUC, the statement is anchored by Greenpeace International, the International Peace Bureau (IPB), the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), Oxfam and Additional signatories include:
