UN ocean conference opens in Nice with focus on conservation, climate action

China

UN ocean conference opens in Nice with focus on conservation, climate action

2025-06-09 17:32 Last Updated At：20:47

The third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) opened Monday in Nice, France, bringing together world leaders, scientists, and environmental advocates to address urgent challenges facing the world's oceans, from pollution to overfishing and climate change.

Co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, the five-day conference aims to accelerate global efforts to protect marine ecosystems, which sustain over three billion people and play a critical role in regulating the Earth's climate.

"The ocean, if we protect it, can help us fight climate change. So if we protect seagrass beds for example, seagrass beds are like amazing heroes in catching carbon. If we protect whales, they also capture carbon. And healthy fisheries are also part of the carbon capturing. And the deep sea as well, which we know is really important for carbon capture and storage," said Jessica Battle, marine manager at the World Wildlife Fund International.

Key priorities for the conference include advancing the "30x30" target, a global commitment to protect 30 percent of the world’s oceans by 2030. Currently, only 8.4 percent of marine areas are under some form of protection.

"The action needs to start now and we need to put money and action behind these pledges and that is really what we are looking for at this ocean conference," Battle said. Another major focus is securing enough ratifications for the High Seas Treaty, formally known as the BBNJ Agreement, which would enable the creation of marine protected areas in international waters. To take effect, the treaty requires approval from at least 60 countries, but only 32 have ratified it so far.

French President Emmanuel Macron stressed the urgency of reaching the ratification threshold by the September 2025 deadline, while also calling for stronger measures against illegal fishing and harmful fisheries subsidies.

The conference features high-level discussions on sustainable financing mechanisms, including "blue bonds" and "blue loans," to support ocean conservation efforts.

Scientists warn that rising ocean temperatures, acidification, and sea level rise threaten marine biodiversity and coastal communities, underscoring the need for coordinated global action.

ROK president reiterates firm adherence to one-China principle

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Wednesday that Seoul firmly adheres to the one-China principle, in comments made ahead of his upcoming state visit to China.

The remarks were made in an interview with China Media Group (CMG). The visit is scheduled for Jan 4–7.

"The consensus reached between governments of the Republic of Korea and China when diplomatic relations were established continues to be the fundamental principle governing our relations, and its effectiveness remains steadfast. I want to clearly state that the ROK has always adhered to the one-China principle. Maintaining peace and stability in regional matters, including in Northeast Asia and concerning the Taiwan issue, holds significant importance to us," said Lee.

"The foundational relationship between the ROK and China was established on a very principled and fundamental basis from the beginning. It is clear that the ROK government has always adhered to this position and has never wavered from it. I believe that the sound development of ROK-China relations depends on both sides fully respecting each other's core interests and being mutually tolerant of each other's positions. In this context, we will, as always, uphold the one-China principle as the Taiwan issue is China's most fundamental concern," he said.