Secretary-General’s Activities in France from 8 to 10 June

On June 8, the Secretary-General of the United Nations arrived in Nice, France, to participate in the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica. During his visit, he engaged in discussions with various world leaders and emphasized the urgent need for global cooperation to protect the oceans. His remarks highlighted the critical challenges facing marine ecosystems, including overfishing, plastic pollution, and climate change, urging nations to take immediate action.

Opening Remarks at the Ocean Conference

On the morning of June 9, the Secretary-General delivered a powerful address at the opening of the 2025 UN Ocean Conference. He underscored the ocean’s vital role in sustaining life for centuries but lamented the ongoing failure to protect these essential ecosystems. The Secretary-General pointed out that overfishing, plastic pollution, and rising ocean temperatures are pushing marine environments to the brink. He called on all nations that have yet to ratify the Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction to do so promptly. Furthermore, he urged member states to make significant strides toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14, which focuses on life below water.

Africa’s Maritime Potential

In the afternoon of June 9, the Secretary-General participated in the Africa for the Ocean event, co-hosted by Morocco and France. He highlighted Africa’s vast maritime potential, noting that the continent boasts over 30,000 kilometers of coastline and 38 coastal states. His remarks emphasized the importance of Africa as a maritime powerhouse and the need for collaborative efforts to protect ocean resources. Additionally, the Secretary-General met with civil society representatives engaged in ocean advocacy, stressing their crucial role in driving momentum and raising awareness about ocean, climate, and biodiversity issues.

Bilateral Meetings with Global Leaders

Throughout his visit, the Secretary-General held several bilateral meetings with prominent leaders. He met with Laurent Saint-Cyr, a member of Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council, Pham Minh Chinh, the Prime Minister of Vietnam, King Abdullah II of Jordan, and Rodrigo Chaves Robles, the President of Costa Rica. These discussions focused on fostering mutual cooperation and addressing international developments related to ocean conservation and climate action.

Press Event and Final Meetings

On June 10, the Secretary-General held a press event where he reiterated the mission of the conference: to save the ocean and secure a sustainable future. He warned that the ocean is nearing a tipping point due to powerful interests threatening its health. Emphasizing a moral obligation to protect marine life for future generations, he called for enhanced global cooperation to combat plastic pollution and climate change. Before departing Nice, he also met with Mohamed al-Menfi, the President of Libya’s Presidential Council, and Philip Isdor Mpango, the Vice-President of Tanzania, furthering discussions on collaborative efforts in ocean conservation. The Secretary-General concluded his visit in the afternoon of June 10.

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