The five-day UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France, has made various advances in the protection of the world's oceans. Representatives from 175 countries discussed key issues such as the protection of the high seas, the fight against plastic waste and regulations on deep-sea mining. Experts, governments and organisations welcome the results, but urge rapid implementation.
Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider (SPD) expressed his satisfaction with the results: "This conference has made significant progress in marine protection, despite the difficult geopolitical situation." The USA, however, did not send a delegation to the conference.
Progress on the high seas protection agreement
One of the key successes of the conference was the rapprochement towards the entry into force of the High Seas Convention. This is intended to create regulations for the use and protection of the high seas, which make up around 60 to 70 per cent of the oceans, for the first time. In order for the agreement, which was formulated two years ago, to enter into force, it must be ratified by at least 60 states. More than a dozen other states did so in Nice, meaning that the required number could soon be reached.
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The organisation OceanCare sees this as "encouraging progress". However, no agreement has yet been reached on funding, with poorer countries in particular demanding commitments. The German Ocean Foundation welcomed the developments: "The High Seas Agreement is a milestone for global marine conservation. The ratifications in Nice bring us a big step closer to our goal."
Alliance against plastic waste
Another focus of the conference was on the Combating marine pollution caused by plastic waste. 95 countries joined together to form an alliance calling for the production of primary plastics to be restricted. They also spoke out in favour of mandatory reporting on the production, import and export of these substances.
Florian Titze from WWF Germany commented: "The content outlined here is a good start and at the same time the absolute minimum to effectively combat plastic pollution." Team Malizia, known for its commitment to marine conservation, was also positive: "The alliance against plastic waste is an important step. Now concrete measures must follow to protect our oceans from further pollution."
Differences in deep-sea mining
Differences continued to emerge on the topic of deep sea mining. Germany and 36 other countries are seeking a precautionary pause in deep-sea mining projects. The issue was given new urgency by the USA's plans to pursue deep-sea mining in international waters. 24 countries, including Germany, spoke out strongly against such plans and emphasised that deep-sea resources outside national waters are the common heritage of mankind under international law.
Together with France, Germany wants to localise old munitions in the Baltic and North Seas and set up a team of experts for this purpose. This initiative aims to reduce the danger posed by old munitions and warfare agents in the oceans. In addition, 100 million euros are to be channelled into the restoration of salt marshes, seagrass beds and algae foreststo increase the ability to store CO2 and slow down climate change.
Implementation of commitments required
Environmental organisations welcome the progress made at the conference, but are now calling for the commitments made to be implemented quickly. The concrete measures must be realised in the coming months and years in order to achieve the goals of marine protection. In particular, the focus is on the ratification of the Convention on the Protection of the High Seas by further states and the implementation of the Alliance against Plastic Waste.
