Refermer Network reported on June 15 that according to a report from Agence France-Presse on June 13, the United Nations Ocean Conference concluded in Nice on Friday, making progress in better protecting the high seas and welcomed by non-governmental organizations, but no large-scale funding commitments were seen.
Criticism of deep-sea mineral development has become a highlight of the Nice Summit attended by nearly 60 global leaders. However, environmentalists and island nation leaders expressed disappointment regarding reducing fossil fuel use and protecting the ocean.
Fifty-plus countries have approved the High Seas Treaty, which brings hope for rapid implementation of this treaty aimed at better protecting international waters. The High Seas Treaty requires approval from 60 countries and will come into effect 120 days after that.
France did not succeed in reaching this number in Nice, as French President Macron hoped to achieve this during this opportunity. Greenpeace's Francois Chartier said, "This is a real acceleration. It is important that the treaty be completed by the end of the year so we can begin work in protected high seas."
Since the opening of the conference, leaders of various countries have raised criticism against Trump's unilateral announcement of developing minerals in the Pacific international waters. However, this firm attitude failed to significantly expand the alliance supporting a delay in deep-sea mining. The number of supporting countries increased only from 32 to 37 at the conference, while the United Nations International Seabed Authority has 169 member states.
From Colombia to Samoa, Portugal, Greece or Polynesia, multiple countries and regions worldwide have announced the establishment of marine protected areas or strengthened protection of existing sea areas, particularly by banning trawling. After this conference, the area of marine protected zones globally may expand from 8.34% to over 10%.
As the main cause of climate warming, fossil fuels (natural gas, oil, and coal) are not mentioned in the final statement. The statement merely says that climate change has brought "harmful impacts" to the ocean and its ecosystems. Ralph Regenvanu, Minister of Environment of Vanuatu, a Pacific Island country, said, "This is the main reason for the deterioration of the ocean, and it is regrettable that we do not talk about it enough."
The goal of $100 billion mentioned by Costa Rica before the Nice Summit was not achieved. According to a report from the World Economic Forum in 2022, $175 billion per year is needed to achieve sustainable ocean goals by 2030.
According to a report from El Pais on June 13, UN Secretary-General Guterres used the same metaphor in several public speeches at the United Nations Ocean Conference closing in Nice on June 13 to focus on an emerging environmental issue: "The seabed cannot become the Wild West."
Guterres referred to "the Wild West" when mentioning deep-sea mining in international waters. Because when discussing the protection of high seas, it often refers to a lawless zone.
In late April, Trump signed an order at the White House, clearly showing his stance: he advocated promoting mining in international waters.
In fact, Trump's move further alarmed environmental organizations, scientists, and many countries, who publicly expressed their concerns at the Nice Summit.
European Council President Costa commented on Trump's plan at the conference: "Suspending deep-sea mining is crucial." French President Macron said, "Starting a predatory economic race on the seabed is madness. A moratorium is an essential international measure." Similarly, Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez also advocated at Nice to "implement a precautionary suspension until regulations for deep-sea mining are established."
According to the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition statistics, 37 countries have called for suspending or completely prohibiting the development of these deep-sea mineral resources. This list includes France, Germany, Spain, the UK, Austria, Portugal, as well as other important American countries such as Brazil, Chile, and Canada. Moreover, the final declaration of the conference advocates "the need to expand scientific knowledge of deep-sea ecosystems" and "the importance of the precautionary approach for deep-sea mining."
Trump's order to open the door to this activity came at a time when countries around the world were trying to formulate basic rules to determine how these resources should be developed if they must be mined, and how benefits should be distributed. Because for decades, different UN treaties and conventions have stipulated that the seabed and its resources in international waters are the "common heritage of mankind," and their exploration and development should be carried out for the benefit of all humanity. (Translated by Lu Longjun and Han Chao)
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7516042000018227738/
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