World Leaders Tackle Ocean Crisis at UN Summit in Nice

The United Nations Ocean Conference opened in Nice, France, on June 9th, 2025, bringing together world leaders, experts, and climate activists to address the urgent crisis facing the world's oceans. The five-day summit aims to produce a comprehensive action plan for ocean conservation and sustainable use. Key issues on the agenda include combating illegal fishing and reducing plastic pollution. Liam Nolan, RTÉ's Eastern Europe Reporter, who is on the ground in Nice, highlights the scale of the challenge: "Scientists say we are nearing a point of no return." The conference emphasizes the vital role oceans play; they produce half the globe's oxygen, and over three billion people depend on marine biodiversity for survival. The hope is that by Friday, countries will sign the Nice Ocean Action Plan, a political declaration outlining key pledges. This conference is a significant step towards protecting our oceans for future generations.