France Reinforces Commitment to Ocean Protection and Climate Action at the UN

France has reaffirmed its leadership role in international efforts to safeguard ocean ecosystems and combat climate change. During a recent address at the United Nations, France declared its support for four key UN resolutions addressing ocean governance, biodiversity in international waters, sustainable fisheries, and the upcoming fourth UN Ocean Conference to be hosted by South Korea and Chile.

Highlighting the importance of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, France emphasized the necessity of sustainable maritime governance and international cooperation to ensure security and freedom in the high seas. It also acknowledged the pressing threat of climate change, particularly the impacts of rising sea levels on its overseas territories in the Pacific, Indian Ocean, and Caribbean. The country praised the International Law Commission and the International Court of Justice for advancing legal clarity on states' climate responsibilities.

France further advocated for a precautionary pause on deep-sea mining to protect fragile marine ecosystems and announced its support for the post-2020 Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) agreement, aiming to protect 30% of the world's oceans by 2030. Congratulating South Korea and Chile for hosting the next UN Ocean Conference, France reflected on previous collaboration with Costa Rica to reverse ocean health decline and stressed the urgency of addressing plastic pollution and maritime decarbonization. These commitments underscore France's ongoing dedication to climate action and sustainable ocean governance on the global stage.