Leaders Head to France for UN Summit on Ocean Threats

World leaders descended on the French Riviera on June 8 ahead of a high-level summit to tackle a deepening crisis in the oceans driven by overfishing, climate change and pollution.

- AFP

NICE, France —

The UN says oceans face an "emergency" and leaders gathering in Nice will be under pressure to commit much-needed money and stronger protections for the ailing seas and the people who depend on them.

The UN Ocean Conference must try to turn a corner as nations feud over deep-sea mining, plastic litter and exploitative fishing, against a backdrop of wider geopolitical tensions.

About 50 heads of state and government are expected to attend, including Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his Argentinian counterpart Javier Milei.