World leaders have begun arriving in the French city of Nice for a crucial United Nations summit aimed at addressing escalating threats to the world's oceans, including deep-sea mining, illegal fishing, and plastic pollution.
The conference, convened under the banner of urgent oceanic preservation, is expected to draw participation from around 50 countries. Among those attending are Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Argentine President Javier Milei.
French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to host visiting leaders for a Mediterranean fish dinner in Nice on Sunday evening after sailing in from Monaco, where he is attending an associated event to encourage private investment in ocean conservation.
“This is one of its kind and a much-needed conference,” said an official briefed on the agenda, noting that oceans globally are under mounting threat, particularly from unregulated commercial exploitation.
According to the United Nations, only about eight per cent of the world’s oceans are currently designated as marine conservation zones, with far fewer enjoying true protective status. Greenpeace has warned that, at the current rate of progress, it may take 82 years to reach the global target of protecting 30 per cent of the seas.
Delegations from Pacific Island nations are expected to push hard for financial assistance to combat rising sea levels, marine debris, and the depletion of fisheries—issues they argue directly endanger their existence.
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Activists are also preparing to make their voices heard. Peaceful demonstrations are expected across Nice, with the French authorities having deployed approximately 5,000 police officers to maintain security during the event.
The United States, led by President Donald Trump, will reportedly not send a delegation. Washington’s recent advocacy for fast-tracked seabed mining has drawn widespread criticism, including from environmental organisations and allied governments.
“We’ve created this sort of myth that governments don’t have money for ocean conservation,” Brian O’Donnell, director of Campaign for Nature, told reporters. “There is money. There is no political will,” he added.
On Saturday, President Macron announced plans to restrict bottom trawling in select French marine protected areas, a measure welcomed by conservationists.
With rising geopolitical tensions and the increasing urgency of climate-linked marine degradation, this year’s summit carries the weight of expectation as negotiators seek concrete pledges—especially regarding the establishment of an “emergency” global fund for ocean protection.
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