• UN Secretary-General António Guterres warns against allowing deep sea mining to become unregulated.
• French President Emmanuel Macron declares a moratorium on seabed mining is "an international necessity."
• Approximately 36 countries oppose seabed mining, urging robust international governance.
• The High Seas Treaty is close to being ratified, aimed at establishing marine protected areas.
• Concerns grow over the ecological impacts of deep-sea mining and other human activities.

World leaders at the UN Ocean Conference in Nice have issued strong warnings against unregulated deep sea mining, emphasizing the need for stringent global governance. Secretary-General António Guterres stated, "The deep sea cannot become the wild west," reflecting widespread concerns over environmental degradation caused by unchecked mineral extraction. His remarks came as countries grappled with the implications of unilateral actions, particularly from the United States under President Donald Trump, who has moved to fast-track mining permits in international waters, circumventing collective global regulations. These insights highlight the urgency of establishing clear international rules to manage seabed resources, according to BBC and Channel News Asia.

French President Emmanuel Macron echoed Guterres' sentiments, declaring a moratorium on seabed mining was "an international necessity." He expressed concern about the long-term ecological impacts, stating, "I think it's madness to launch predatory economic action that will disrupt the deep seabed, disrupt biodiversity, destroy it and release irrecoverable carbon sinks." The number of nations opposing seabed mining has reportedly risen to 36, reflecting a growing coalition against the unregulated exploitation of these resources. Macron's advocacy comes at a crucial time as the International Seabed Authority is set to deliberate on a global mining code in July, emphasizing coordinated efforts to safeguard marine environments, according to The Jakarta Post and Le Monde.

The summit emphasized the necessity of the High Seas Treaty, which seeks to establish marine protected areas covering 30% of international waters by 2030. Macron noted that 50 nations have already ratified the treaty, with an additional 15 expressing formal commitments, signifying a collective commitment to ocean conservation. Despite this progress, there remain concerns about the specifications of the treaty, particularly regarding the permissibility of destructive practices like bottom trawling in protected areas, an issue highlighted by both Macron and environmentalists such as Sir David Attenborough, according to Dawn and Channel News Asia.

Small island states have called upon wealthier nations for financial support to counter the challenges posed by rising sea levels, pollution, and the depletion of fish stocks, which threaten their economies. The summit has become a platform for these nations to advocate for concrete climate action and sustainability in ocean management, reinforcing the notion that "if you are serious about protecting the ocean, prove it," as stated by President Surangel Whipps Jr. of Palau. This rallying cry has garnered attention and support among other nations, emphasizing a need for actionable commitments from global leaders, according to BBC and Le Monde.