Nice, France
Ms. Anne de Blic, Secretary-General of France for the Third United Nations Oceans Conference,
Distinguished participants,
Dear colleagues,
It is an special honor and pleasure to be with you this morning in this stunning city overlooking the Mediterranean.
I extend my deepest gratitude to you, Madam Secretary-General, for your leadership and partnership in preparing for this pivotal Ocean Conference. It has been a long and rewarding journey!
We have reached an important milestone today as the United Nations takes possession of the conference venue. This magnificent setting, with the highest sustainability ratings, capitalizes on the natural and historical beauty of its surroundings. It stands as a physical testament to the principles of the UN Ocean Conference, and the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda. Congratulations, Madam Secretary-General.
Tomorrow, the Conference begins, and the stakes could not be higher. Our oceans are in peril, and we are at a precarious moment for multilateralism. This Conference is our critical opportunity to confront these challenges directly, and to commit to the investments and transformative actions essential for the health of our ocean.
We are joined by over 200 national leaders and thousands of the world’s leading experts and stakeholders — all dedicated to forging solutions and seizing opportunities for our ocean. Their collective expertise and commitments are our greatest assets.
The time for action is now.
I would like to once again express my sincere appreciation to the Government of France, the co-host Costa Rica, and the local authorities of Nice, for hosting this crucial gathering. My profound thanks also extend to the Prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes, French navy, police, firefighters and volunteers. Let’s get to work and deliver together.
Thank you. Merci beaucoup.