Nations Press for Pact to Combat Plastic Pollution at UN Ocean Conference

(MENAFN) At the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France, numerous countries are pressing for a legally binding international treaty to combat the escalating crisis of plastic pollution threatening marine life and human health.

The conference, co-led by Costa Rica and France, has convened top officials and leaders from over 120 nations, alongside thousands of experts from civil society and scientific fields.

A statement from the French Foreign Ministry on Tuesday highlighted the severe impact of plastic waste, describing it as having "devastating consequences for human health and the environment."

The statement also revealed that annual global plastic production currently stands at roughly 460 million tons, a figure projected to triple by 2060 if urgent interventions are not implemented.

"Plastic pollution is a scourge, and the ocean is its first victim," declared French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot.

At the event, 95 countries committed to the “Nice Call,” a collective appeal for binding international regulations to curb plastic pollution worldwide.

This initiative stresses the importance of strong global cooperation and enforceable policies to tackle plastic contamination in oceans and coastal regions.

Running through June 13, the conference addresses a broad spectrum of ocean-related crises, from climate change and rising sea levels to overfishing and illegal fishing activities.

Delegates are expected to define actionable strategies to promote sustainable ocean management.

The UN Ocean Conference was launched in 2017 in New York, co-chaired by Sweden and Fiji, followed by its second edition in Lisbon in 2022, hosted by Portugal and Kenya.

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