Nice Ocean Conference: Confronting Pollution and Mining Despite Washington's Boycott

Around fifty heads of state and government will gather this Sunday in the city of Nice, southern France, to attend the "United Nations Third Ocean Conference," convened by French President Emmanuel Macron to rally international efforts to protect the oceans. The conference comes amidst the United States' boycott, despite having the largest maritime area in the world. The events will kick off with a celebratory maritime display in honor of World Oceans Day, before official discussions begin on Monday, focusing on deep-sea mining, the international treaty to combat plastic pollution, and regulating overfishing. Macron regrets Washington's absence, especially after President Donald Trump's decision last April to open up mining in international waters in the Pacific Ocean, bypassing the authority of the International Seabed Authority, which the United States has not ratified. The countries acknowledged in the draft of the final declaration that progress in ocean protection "does not match the required speed or scope," amidst unprecedented heatwaves threatening marine ecosystems. France aims to make the conference a turning point similar to the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate, with Macron supporting a treaty to protect high seas signed by 115 countries, yet not yet in effect due to lack of ratifications. Paris is also working to expand an alliance of 33 countries to freeze deep-sea mining and push for a treaty to combat plastic pollution, in addition to agreements against illegal fishing and overfishing. The oceans cover 70.8% of the Earth's surface but suffer from significant underfunding compared to sustainable development goals. In a tangible step, France has imposed restrictions on trawling in protected areas, with mixed reactions from environmental organizations ranging from welcoming to criticizing the measures. Security measures are tightened in Nice with the deployment of thousands of police and gendarmes, and the conference will conclude with an official dinner at the Negresco Palace, featuring dishes of seasonal vegetables and Mediterranean fish. The Nice conference remains a crucial milestone in addressing the crisis of pollution and marine degradation, amidst international challenges and an urgent need to save the "lungs of the Earth" before it's too late.