1274. Responding to the Growing Crisis in the World's Oceans
 

The oceans are facing an unprecedented crisis due to climate change, plastic pollution, ecosystem loss, and overexploitation of marine resources. From June 9 to 13, world leaders, scientists, activists, and business executives are gathering in Nice, France, for the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) to address the growing crisis in the world's oceans.

Coral reefs, which support a quarter of all marine life and generate billions of dollars in tourism and fishing, are disappearing before our eyes. The collapse of coral reefs could have knock-on effects on biodiversity, food security, and climate change resilience. The ocean continues to absorb more than 90% of excess heat from greenhouse gas emissions, and this global service may be reaching its limits.

Over the week, participants will tackle key challenges such as eliminating illegal fishing, reducing plastic pollution, and expanding a sustainable blue economy, aiming to adopt a political declaration to accelerate action towards the conservation and sustainable use of ocean resources. Hundreds of new pledges are expected to be made, in addition to the more than 2,000 voluntary commitments made since the first Ocean Conference in 2017.

The Nice Ocean Action Plan is expected to be aligned with the 2022 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which calls for the protection of at least 30% of marine and terrestrial ecosystems by 2030. Now, 10 years after the landmark Paris Agreement, which set goals for limiting global warming, UNOC3 aims to position the oceans at the forefront of climate change measures.

Contributor: IIYAMA Miyuki, Information Program