Nice, France will host the third UN Ocean Conference from 9 to 13 June. This event will be of decisive importance, as it will bring together in Nice around 100 heads of state and government, as well as tens of thousands of delegates: researchers, scientists, representatives of economic entities, activists of public organizations and citizens from all over the world. As part of the conference, France will clearly advocate for the protection of the World Ocean through concrete actions.

The ocean is our common heritage. It feeds and protects. It attracts and gives the opportunity to travel. It provides resources and energy from renewable sources, allows for trade and the expansion of scientific knowledge.

And, although the life of every third inhabitant of the Earth depends on the World Ocean, which is now in danger. This oceans are still poorly studied, there is neither a global governance system nor financial resources for its protection. The figures are alarming: according to a study conducted by the Science journal, more than 8 million tons of plastic end up in the World Ocean every year. Add to this overexploitation, which affects more than a third of fisheries, acidification, rising sea levels and the destruction of marine ecosystems. And these phenomena are accelerating as a direct consequence of climate change.

We must act. More than ever, we need to ensure that multilateral action matches the scale of the ocean challenge.

Ten years after COP21 and the Paris Agreement, which created a legally binding global framework to limit global warming, the third Ocean Conference offers a historic opportunity. The Nice Agreements will lay the foundation for a true international pact to protect and sustainably use the oceans. It will be directly aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the UN in 2015.

To achieve this, the Nice discussions must be concrete and action-oriented, in particular to improve governance, increase funding and deepen ocean knowledge.

In the area of ​​governance, the High Seas Treaty is a key instrument. Currently, the high seas, which make up more than 60% of the world's oceans, are the only area that is not subject to international law. The lack of oversight and common rules is causing a real social and environmental disaster: large-scale hydrocarbon and plastic pollution, illegal and unregulated fishing practices, and the harvesting of protected mammal species. To close the legal gaps, the High Seas Treaty must be ratified by 60 states so that it can enter into force.

Protecting the oceans also requires mobilizing public and private funding and supporting a sustainable "blue economy". If we want to continue to benefit from the exceptional economic opportunities that the oceans offer, we must ensure that marine resources are restored. In this regard, a series of commitments will be announced in Nice in the areas of international trade, shipping, tourism and investment.

But how can we protect what we do not know or know insufficiently? We must expand our knowledge of the oceans and ensure that it is shared more widely. Today, humans can map the Moon and Mars, but know little about the deep ocean, which covers 70% of the Earth’s surface. Together, we must mobilize scientific research, innovative exploration, and education to better understand the ocean and engage the public.

With accelerating climate change and overexploitation of marine resources, protecting the oceans cannot be an afterthought. It concerns us all. Redefining multilateralism must not overshadow our shared responsibility. The oceans connect us and our future depends on them. Together, we can ensure that the Third UN Ocean Conference becomes a turning point for our people, future generations, and the planet.