{"id":168697,"date":"2025-06-08T22:29:14","date_gmt":"2025-06-08T22:29:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/168697\/"},"modified":"2025-06-08T22:29:14","modified_gmt":"2025-06-08T22:29:14","slug":"a-key-un-ocean-conference-kicks-off-in-france","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/168697\/","title":{"rendered":"A key UN ocean conference kicks off in France"},"content":{"rendered":"

NICE, France (AP) \u2014 Dozens of research and exploration vessels from around the world set sail just off the French coastal city of Nice on Sunday to kick off the third U.N. Ocean Conference<\/a> and pay tribute to World Oceans Day<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The event, themed \u201cOcean Wonders,\u201d saw the vessels sail across Nice\u2019s Baie des Anges, or Bay of Angels, to spotlight the beauty and importance of the ocean while urging world leaders not to lose sight of its value as they make decisions about the planet\u2019s future.<\/p>\n

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People swim as vessels sail during the \u201cOcean Wonders\u201d event in honor of World Oceans Day ahead of the U.N. Ocean Conference on Sunday, June 8, 2025, in Nice, France. (AP Photo\/Annika Hammerschlag)<\/p>\n

People swim as vessels sail during the \u201cOcean Wonders\u201d event in honor of World Oceans Day ahead of the U.N. Ocean Conference on Sunday, June 8, 2025, in Nice, France. (AP Photo\/Annika Hammerschlag)<\/p>\n

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Thousands of delegates, including heads of state, scientists, and environmental advocates, are expected in Nice this week to confront growing threats to the ocean, and the need to transform pledges into protection. <\/p>\n

The United Nations has called the threats a global emergency facing the world\u2019s oceans as they confront rising temperatures, plastic pollution<\/a> choking marine life, and relentless overexploitation of fish and other resources.<\/p>\n

Just 2.7% of the global ocean is effectively protected from destructive activities like industrial fishing and deep-sea mining \u2014 far below the global goal of 30% by 2030.<\/p>\n

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People cross a street as vessels sail during the \u201cOcean Wonders\u201d event in honor of World Oceans Day ahead of the U.N. Ocean Conference on Sunday, June 8, 2025, in Nice, France. (AP Photo\/Annika Hammerschlag)<\/p>\n

People cross a street as vessels sail during the \u201cOcean Wonders\u201d event in honor of World Oceans Day ahead of the U.N. Ocean Conference on Sunday, June 8, 2025, in Nice, France. (AP Photo\/Annika Hammerschlag)<\/p>\n

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Participating boats included the Energy Observer, a solar-panel covered catamaran that was the first vessel to circumnavigate the globe using renewable energy<\/a> alone. It produces hydrogen fuel on board via seawater electrolysis, offering a vision of zero-emissions maritime travel.<\/p>\n

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Other standout vessels included France\u2019s Alfred Merlin, dedicated to underwater archaeology; the OceanXplorer, a high-tech billionaire-owned research yacht; and the WWF\u2019s Blue Panda, which is working to map and protect the last remaining seagrass meadows in the Mediterranean Sea. <\/p>\n

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\"Salema<\/p>\n

Salema porgy swim near seagrass in the protected area of France\u2019s Porquerolles National Park ahead of the U.N. Ocean Conference on Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo\/Annika Hammerschlag)<\/p>\n

Salema porgy swim near seagrass in the protected area of France\u2019s Porquerolles National Park ahead of the U.N. Ocean Conference on Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo\/Annika Hammerschlag)<\/p>\n

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At the heart of the conference is the push to ratify the High Seas Treaty, adopted in 2023. If it takes effect, the treaty would for the first time allow countries to establish marine protected areas in international waters, which cover nearly two-thirds of the ocean and remain largely ungoverned.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe High Seas Treaty is critical to ensuring we can protect biodiversity in the ocean,\u201d said Rebecca Hubbard, director of the High Seas Alliance. \u201cWe\u2019re in the middle of a biodiversity and climate crisis. We absolutely have to protect the ocean to address those crises.\u201d<\/p>\n

But even in waters already designated as protected, enforcement often falls short. Many countries, France included, face criticism from environmental groups<\/a> over weak regulation and continued industrial activity within their marine protected areas.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe ambition is not there, the speed is not there, and the scale has not been there,\u201d said S\u00edlvia Tavares, project manager at Oceano Azul Foundation. \u201cMoments like UNOC are key to changing that.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\"People<\/p>\n

People wacth vessels sail during the \u201cOcean Wonders\u201d event in honor of World Oceans Day ahead of the U.N. Ocean Conference on Sunday, June 8, 2025, in Nice, France. (AP Photo\/Annika Hammerschlag)<\/p>\n

People wacth vessels sail during the \u201cOcean Wonders\u201d event in honor of World Oceans Day ahead of the U.N. Ocean Conference on Sunday, June 8, 2025, in Nice, France. (AP Photo\/Annika Hammerschlag)<\/p>\n

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Several countries are expected to announce new marine protected areas, or MPAs, during the conference, along with bans on bottom trawling and other destructive activities within their existing MPA networks.<\/p>\n

The \u201cOcean Wonders\u201d fleet will remain docked in Nice and open to the public until the conference concludes on June 13.<\/p>\n

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Follow Annika Hammerschlag on Instagram @ahammergram<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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The Associated Press receives support from the Walton Family Foundation for coverage of water and environmental policy. The AP is solely responsible for all content. For all of AP\u2019s environmental coverage, visit https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/climate-and-environment<\/a><\/p>\n