UN Chief Warns Against Deep-Sea Mining at Global Ocean Summit

At the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned against allowing the deep seabed to become a 'wild west,' emphasizing the need for cautious regulation of seabed mining. US President Donald Trump has accelerated US exploration efforts in international waters, bypassing global regulatory initiatives, which has heightened tensions among nations. France, led by President Emmanuel Macron, advocates for a moratorium on deep-sea mining until the ecological impacts are better understood, declaring that the deep sea, Greenland, and Antarctica are "not for sale." Macron also announced that the global treaty to govern the high seas has received enough ratifications to enter into force, marking a significant milestone for ocean governance. The International Seabed Authority is set to meet in July to discuss a global mining code aimed at regulating mining activities in international waters. The conference, attended by numerous world leaders and stakeholders, underscores the urgent need for multilateral cooperation to protect ocean biodiversity and address climate change impacts linked to ocean health.