UN Secretary-General Urges Halt to Ocean Plunder as Crucial Summit Convenes in France
Nice, France – June 9, 2025 – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has issued a powerful plea for an immediate cessation of the “plunder” of the world’s oceans, marking the opening of a pivotal UN summit in Nice, France, focused on the urgent need for ocean conservation and sustainable management. The summit brings together global leaders, policymakers, scientists, and representatives from civil society to address the escalating threats facing marine ecosystems and chart a course towards a healthier, more resilient ocean.
In his opening address, Secretary-General Guterres painted a stark picture of the current state of the oceans, highlighting the devastating impact of human activities. He emphasized that the oceans are not merely vast bodies of water but vital life-support systems for the planet, providing food, regulating climate, and supporting millions of livelihoods. However, he cautioned that these invaluable resources are being systematically exploited and degraded at an alarming rate.
“We are witnessing an unprecedented assault on our oceans,” Guterres stated, his voice resonating with urgency. “From overfishing and destructive fishing practices to pollution, habitat destruction, and the relentless march of climate change, our marine environments are under siege. This is not just an environmental crisis; it is an economic, social, and existential one.”
The term “plunder” used by the Secretary-General underscores the severe consequences of unsustainable practices, suggesting a deliberate and exploitative depletion of marine resources without regard for future generations or the intrinsic value of marine life. He specifically pointed to the critical issue of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, which undermines sustainable fisheries management, distorts markets, and deprives coastal communities of essential income and food security.
Furthermore, Guterres drew attention to the pervasive problem of marine pollution, including plastic waste, chemical contaminants, and wastewater discharge, which are suffocating marine life and contaminating food chains. The rising acidity and warming temperatures of the oceans, direct consequences of climate change, were also highlighted as existential threats, leading to coral bleaching, sea-level rise, and disruptions to marine biodiversity.
The summit in Nice is seen as a critical opportunity for the international community to translate urgent calls for action into tangible commitments and concrete policy solutions. Discussions are expected to revolve around strengthening international cooperation, enhancing marine protected areas, combating IUU fishing, reducing pollution, and investing in sustainable ocean-based economies.
The Secretary-General urged delegates to seize this moment to demonstrate the global commitment to safeguarding the oceans. He emphasized the need for bold, ambitious, and collaborative action, calling on nations to uphold existing international agreements and to develop new, innovative strategies that prioritize the health and sustainability of marine ecosystems.
“The future of our planet depends on the health of our oceans,” Guterres concluded. “Let us leave Nice with a renewed determination and a shared vision to end the plunder and embark on a path of genuine stewardship and restoration. Our oceans have sustained us for millennia; it is now our moral imperative to sustain them.”
The opening of the UN summit in France marks a critical juncture in the global effort to protect the world’s oceans, with the Secretary-General’s powerful message serving as a stark reminder of the shared responsibility and the urgent need for collective action to secure a healthy marine future for all.
Guterres calls for an end to ocean ‘plunder’ as UN summit opens in France
AI has delivered the news.
The answer to the following question is obtained from Google Gemini.
Climate Change published ‘Guterres calls for an end to ocean ‘plunder’ as UN summit opens in France’ at 2025-06-09 12:00. Please write a detailed article about this news in a polite tone with relevant information. Please reply in English with the article only.