‘The ocean belongs to everyone: No one has exclusive rights to any of our resources’

As the third U.N. Ocean Conference opens in Nice, leaders are calling for immediate action to protect marine ecosystems. French President Macron called for moving “from words to deeds,” while U.N. chief Guterres warned of mounting threats from illegal fishing, pollution, and warming seas. With only 2.7% of the ocean effectively protected, far from the 30% goal by 2030, pressure is rising to deliver on global pledges. For deeper insight, FRANCE 24’s Eve Irvine speaks with Susan Gardner, Director of the Ecosystems Division at the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). Looking ahead, she highlighted the importance of fulfilling previous agreements The Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD), designating 30% of the land and sea as protected areas and Biological Diversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), extending the protection to the high seas.