The "One Ocean" summit, hosted by the French presidency of the European Union, was recently held in the French city of Brest. The summit focused on global ocean protection and governance. In the meeting, which is combined with 3 antennas offline and online, multiple discussion groups will discuss issues such as ocean governance, Marine resource protection and Marine economy, and submit recommendations through high-level meetings. Participants reaffirmed their willingness to better protect and govern oceans through sincere cooperation and practical actions.

The Conference will build consensus and implement relevant commitments on Marine protection and governance from the perspectives of protecting and restoring Marine ecosystems, promoting sustainable fishery development, combating pollution, addressing climate change and strengthening international Marine governance. To create conditions for the second phase of the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) to be held in Kunming, China, and the United Nations Ocean Conference to be held in Portugal this year.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a video message that the earth is facing a triple crisis of climate deterioration, biodiversity loss and pollution. Ocean temperatures are getting warmer and more acidic, polar ice is melting, global weather patterns are changing, and Marine ecosystems on which human life depends are suffering. Humanity must adapt and change course. Guterres stressed that this year marks the 40th anniversary of the opening and signing of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). It is urgent for the international community to step up efforts in Marine protection, effectively develop and utilize Marine renewable energy, and enhance scientific research on the ocean. French President Emmanuel Macron said that ocean protection is a major issue concerning global biodiversity and climate change. "We need a clear and firm commitment on ocean development, protection and governance.

With the goal of reducing plastic pollution in the oceans, the French Development Agency, the European Bank for Reconstruction, the European Investment Bank and relevant banks in France, Germany, Italy and Spain have pledged 4 billion euros to reduce plastic pollution by 2025, according to a report by Channel NewsFrance. France has also pledged to deal with disused landfills on its coast within 10 years.

Delegates at the conference also proposed plans to provide more scientific and accurate data to support Marine protection. UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said the organization will map at least 80 percent of the world's ocean floor by 2030. Enhanced mapping of the ocean floor can help predict risks, identify areas to protect and fisheries to develop sustainably, and is important for assessing the future impacts of climate change. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU was also using equipment such as icebreakers and underwater drones, as well as high performance computing to collect ocean data.

(Paris, Feb 17)

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