This week, scientists, business leaders, activists and over 60 world leaders are attending the United Nations ocean conference in France, which aims to address conservation and sustainable ocean use.

Discussions are centring on deep sea mining, the Global Ocean Treaty and creating an action plan for ocean protection.

Ocean protection is the least funded of all the United Nations’ 17 sustainable development goals, and it requires more attention and government action than ever before amid the worsening effects of climate change.

The Australian government has a key part to play in ocean protection if they want to be considered global ocean leaders.

Image: Image: Pixabay – Franziska Stier

Produced By: Jessica O’Bryan

Featured In Story: Georgia Whitaker, Senior Oceans Campaigner at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, and Carissa Klein, Associate Professor at the Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, The University of Queensland

First aired on The Wire, Wednesday 11 June 2025