‘Either we act, or the planet is in danger’

AFP | Nice

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World leaders arrived in the French Riviera yesterday ahead of a high-level summit on ocean conservation, as nations face pressure to adopt tougher stances on overfishing, pollution and marine protection.

Some 60 heads of state and government are expected in Nice, including Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his Argentine counterpart Javier Milei.

“The planet can no longer tolerate broken promises,” said Lula. “Either we act, or the planet is in danger.”

Emergency

The United Nations has sounded the alarm over an oceans “emergency” and leaders gathering in Nice will be called to commit money and stronger protections for the seas.

The UN Ocean Conference, starting today, seeks to turn a corner as nations feud over deep-sea mining, plastic litter and exploitative fishing, against a backdrop of wider geopolitical tensions.

“We have a duty to mobilise, because the science is clear and the facts are there,” said French President Emmanuel Macron in Monaco yesterday, where he attended a pre-conference event with Britain’s Prince William, among other high-level dignitaries.

Yesterday, Macron toured a conference pavilion made to look like the cavernous belly of a whale.