Greed Is Enemy: UN Chief Warns of Tipping Point at UNOC3

The ocean is under siege – and greed is to blame. UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Tuesday urged world leaders and grassroots groups to confront the powerful interests driving marine destruction, from illegal fishing and plastic pollution to the accelerating impacts of climate change.

Guterres’ stark assessment came during a press conference on the second day of the UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3), where hundreds of government leaders, scientists, and civil society groups have convened on France’s Côte d’Azur. Their mission: to confront the escalating emergency facing the world’s oceans.

“We are in Nice on a mission – save the ocean, to save our future,” the Secretary-General declared, warning that the world is fast approaching a tipping point “beyond which recovery may become impossible.”

The summit, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, is focused on accelerating action to protect and sustainably manage marine ecosystems, which are under unprecedented pressure. Ocean temperatures have reached record highs, acidification is on the rise, and sea levels continue to threaten coastal communities around the globe.

At the heart of the conference is the push to bring the High Seas Treaty—adopted in 2023—into force. The legally binding accord enables countries to create protected areas in international waters and regulate industrial activities. As of this week, 55 countries have ratified the treaty, with five more needed for it to take effect. French President Emmanuel Macron announced that, if momentum continues, the treaty could be fully activated by Jan. 1, 2026.

>> From promises to protection

While the 30x30 goal—to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030—has broad international backing, only about 3% of the ocean is currently under effective protection. Guterres emphasized that “voluntary commitments are not enough” and urged governments to move from pledges to enforceable protections.

Environmental advocates also point out that even countries with designated marine protected areas often allow continued exploitation within those zones. The challenge now is not only ratifying agreements but ensuring compliance and long-term stewardship.

>> Financing the blue future

The financing gap remains a major obstacle. Last weekend, over €8.7 billion was pledged by philanthropists and public institutions during a pre-conference forum in Monaco. However, global funding for ocean conservation still falls drastically short of the estimated $175 billion needed annually.

Negotiators are currently working toward finalizing the Nice Ocean Action Plan, a document expected to codify key commitments made during the summit. It will be presented to the UN General Assembly in July.

>> A global emergency

Guterres concluded his remarks with a warning and a challenge: “We are facing a global emergency, and we know the enemy—greed, apathy, short-termism. But we also have the tools, the science, and the will. What we need now is courage.”

As the conference continues, the stakes could not be higher. With two-thirds of the ocean lying beyond national jurisdiction, the decisions made in Nice may help determine the fate of the planet’s most vital—and most vulnerable—ecosystem.