UN officials outline goals for June Ocean Conference in Nice, press for BBNJ ratification and $100 billion in funding

United Nations officials and the ambassadors of France and Costa Rica previewed the third UN Ocean Conference at a press briefing, detailing a set of priorities they expect delegates to pursue in Nice in June. Speakers said the conference will aim to accelerate concrete action on ocean protection, press for ratification of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction treaty (BBNJ), advance negotiations on a plastics treaty and sustainable fisheries, and mobilize substantial public and private finance for a "blue economy."

The briefing opened with remarks from the Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, identified in the transcript as Mr. Li, who framed the ocean crisis this way: "The health of the ocean is declining and with it the well-being of the human being, who we actually depend on our ocean supply lines." He described the Nice conference as "a pivotal opportunity to accelerate the action and mobilize ... all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean," and said the meeting will include 10 action panels, plenaries, scientific and regional events, and new voluntary commitments collected into a Nice Ocean Action Plan.

Ambassador Jerome Bonafont, identified in the briefing as France's permanent representative, listed eight French priorities for the summit, including prompt entry into force of the BBNJ treaty, progress…