UN Chief Warns Against Turning Oceans into “Wild West” as Global Leaders Gather in Nice |LAGOS EYE NEWS

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has issued a stark warning at the opening of the UN Ocean Conference, cautioning that the world’s deepest seas must not be allowed to become the “wild west.”

The summit, taking place in the French city of Nice, has drawn world leaders and delegates from around the globe as they confront growing tensions over seabed mining and plastic pollution.

Key among the debates is the race for critical minerals buried beneath the ocean floor, which has sparked sharp divides among nations.

Adding to the controversy, U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to accelerate American exploration in international waters, seeking to bypass regulations set by the International Seabed Authority (ISA), which oversees global deep-sea mining activities.

Meanwhile, mounting environmental concerns have led to increasing calls for restraint. France, the host nation, is spearheading efforts to expand an international moratorium on seabed mining until more scientific research is conducted on its potential ecological consequences.

As negotiations intensify, the outcome of the conference could shape the future of ocean governance and determine how far nations are willing to go to balance economic interests with environmental preservation.