High Seas Treaty Gains Momentum at UN Ocean Conference in Nice
Macron advocates for deep-sea treaties - maintaining alignment with Trump's stance.
Emmanuel Macron, the French President, is confident that a landmark agreement to protect the high seas will be implemented at the ongoing UN Ocean Conference in Nice, attended by about 130 states. The treaty, which requires the ratification of 60 countries to come into effect, has seen substantial increase in ratifications this year.
Macron pledged swift ratification of the High Seas Treaty and emphasized that the seabed "should not become the Wild West." The US, initially hesitant to send a representative, was eventually represented by the head of the White House environmental task force, Edward Russo.
The High Seas Treaty, or the Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement), aims to fill the gaps left by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) regarding the protection of biodiversity in high seas and the deep sea bed.
A Call for Precautionary Pause on Deep-Sea Mining
A coalition of around 30 countries supports a precautionary pause on deep-sea mining, a controversial extraction process that scientists fear could permanently destroy untouched underwater ecosystems. Germany also backs this stance.
The oceans, Macron emphasized, are the "blue lungs of the planet," producing oxygen, providing food, and maintaining the largest connected ecosystem in the world. International cooperation, he stressed, is crucial for their protection.
Germany's Self-Commitments
German Environment Minister Carsten Schneider of the SPD is leading the German delegation in Nice. Germany's self-commitments include the removal of old munitions from World War I and II in the North and Baltic Seas. Additionally, the country plans to support partner countries like Brazil, Indonesia, and Senegal in designating high-seas protected areas.
The Nice UN conference is also preparing for the August negotiation round for a plastic agreement, with Schneider advocating for a reduction in plastic waste that ends up in the oceans.
Panorama: The Best Underwater Photos of 2025
The conference also featured the presentation of striking underwater photos, capturing the beauty and complexities of marine life. Highlights included extreme noise pollution affecting marine animals, fights between various species, and a camel swimming in the ocean, an oddity that captured the imagination of the photographers.
Source: ntv.de, mli/AFP
- Environmental Protection
- Oceans
- Marine Research
- France
- Emmanuel Macron
- Plastic Waste
Additional Insights
Current Status of the High Seas Treaty
As of June 2025, the High Seas Treaty has received substantial increase in ratifications due to joint efforts from the EU and its member states. The treaty has been ratified by 28 countries, with 18 more countries pledging to do so[2][5]. The treaty's entry into force is crucial for establishing marine protected areas and contributing to the global goal of protecting at least 30% of the planet by 2030[2].
Countries Committed or Ratified
- EU and its Member States: The European Union along with France, Spain, Cyprus, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Portugal, and Slovenia have ratified the treaty[2].
- Other Countries: There are now 28 countries in total that have ratified the treaty, with 18 more countries pledging to do so[2][5].
The High Seas Treaty, with its aim to protect biodiversity in high seas and the deep sea bed, requires the ratification of 60 countries to come into effect and has seen a significant increase in ratifications this year. Emmanuel Macron, the French President, pledged swift ratification of the treaty and emphasized the importance of its implementation to prevent the seabed from becoming the Wild West.
In support of environmental protection, a coalition of around 30 countries, including Germany, advocates for a precautionary pause on deep-sea mining due to concerns about its potential impact on underwater ecosystems. Macron, in his address, reiterated the significance of the oceans as the "blue lungs of the planet" and emphasized international cooperation for their protection.
