Scientists call for urgent ocean action at Nice congress

Scientists participating in the One Ocean Science Congress in Nice, southern France, released 10 recommendations on Thursday, calling on United Nations members to take urgent and decisive action to safeguard the ocean, with the guidance of science.

According to the organizers, the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) and the French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea (Ifremer), the 10 recommendations on global ocean governance outlined concrete measures to tackle the urgent climate and biodiversity crises, while maximizing the Ocean's potential to provide climate solutions.

The recommendations include inspiring Ocean stewardship through integrated knowledge; promoting safe and equitable Ocean-based climate solutions; protecting and restoring marine and coastal ecosystems; pausing harmful seabed uses and expanding deep-sea knowledge for sustainability; sharing equitably marine genetic resource benefits; ending illicit, unreported and unregulated fishing, and boosting transparency; building sustainable, equitable and safe Ocean-based food systems; ending marine plastic pollution; reducing carbon dioxide emissions and impacts of shipping; investing in transdisciplinary knowledge for Ocean action.

Francois Houllier, chief executive officer of Ifremer and co-chair of the One Ocean Science Congress International Scientific Committee, stressed the critical need for concrete actions. "Now it's time for action. The international scientific community is committed to working tirelessly to deliver new data and expand our knowledge to help the Ocean thrive," he said in a press release.

The congress, held from June 3 to 6, brought together more than 2,000 scientists from around the world. As part of the upcoming 3rd UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3), the congress aims to generate science-based insights and policy recommendations to support global discussions at UNOC3.

(Cover: A view of the United Nations Oceans Conference poster in Nice, France, June 5, 2025. /VCG)