Latest news with #globalleaders
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Money, mining and marine parks: The big issues at UN ocean summit
France is hosting world leaders this week to confront what the United Nations calls a global "emergency" in the oceans -- but what is expected, and can the summit make a difference? There is pressure on the UN Ocean Conference starting Monday in Nice to show that countries can unite and deliver more than just talk for the world's ailing and neglected seas. - Plundered parks - Several countries are expected to announce the creation of new marine conservation zones within their national waters, though how protected they really are will come under scrutiny. Some countries impose next to no rules on what is forbidden or permitted in marine zones. France and other EU states, for example, allow bottom trawling, a damaging fishing practice, in protected waters. This means just three percent of oceans are considered truly safe from exploitation, far short of a global target to place 30 percent under conservation by 2030. - High seas - Key to achieving this goal is enacting the high seas treaty, a landmark global pact signed in 2023 to protect marine life in the vast open waters beyond national control. France had pinned success at Nice on delivering the 60 ratifications necessary to bring the treaty into force, saying the conference would be a failure without it. But it could not get the required number, drumming up roughly half ahead of the summit. Those outstanding will be pushed to explain when they intend to do so. - Uncharted waters - France will be leading diplomatic efforts in Nice to rope more countries into supporting a moratorium on deep-sea mining, a contentious practice opposed by 33 nations so far. Bolstering those numbers would send a rebuke to US President Donald Trump, who wants to allow seabed mining in international waters despite concerns over how little is understood about life at these depths. But it would also carry weight ahead of a closely watched meeting in July of the International Seabed Authority, which is haggling over global rules to govern the nascent deep-sea mining sector. - Actions not words - At the summit's close, nations will adopt a pre-agreed political statement that recognises the crisis facing oceans, and the global need to better protect them. Critics slammed the language in the eight-page document as weak or -- in the case of fossil fuels -- missing altogether, but others cautioned against reading into it too much. "The end declaration from here isn't really the only output. It's much more important, actually, what governments commit to, and what they come here to say on an individual basis," said Peter Haugan, policy director at the Institute of Marine Research in Norway. - Money matters - The conference is not a COP summit or a UN treaty negotiation, and any decisions made between June 9 and 13 in Nice are voluntary and not legally binding. But countries will still be expected to put money on the table in Nice to plug a massive shortfall in funding for ocean conservation, said Pauli Merriman at WWF International. "What we lack -- what we still lack -- is the ambition, the financing and the delivery needed to close the gap," she told reporters. "It's not enough for governments to show up to Nice with good intentions." np/klm/js
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Money, mining and marine parks: The big issues at UN ocean summit
France is hosting world leaders this week to confront what the United Nations calls a global "emergency" in the oceans -- but what is expected, and can the summit make a difference? There is pressure on the UN Ocean Conference starting Monday in Nice to show that countries can unite and deliver more than just talk for the world's ailing and neglected seas. - Plundered parks - Several countries are expected to announce the creation of new marine conservation zones within their national waters, though how protected they really are will come under scrutiny. Some countries impose next to no rules on what is forbidden or permitted in marine zones. France and other EU states, for example, allow bottom trawling, a damaging fishing practice, in protected waters. This means just three percent of oceans are considered truly safe from exploitation, far short of a global target to place 30 percent under conservation by 2030. - High seas - Key to achieving this goal is enacting the high seas treaty, a landmark global pact signed in 2023 to protect marine life in the vast open waters beyond national control. France had pinned success at Nice on delivering the 60 ratifications necessary to bring the treaty into force, saying the conference would be a failure without it. But it could not get the required number, drumming up roughly half ahead of the summit. Those outstanding will be pushed to explain when they intend to do so. - Uncharted waters - France will be leading diplomatic efforts in Nice to rope more countries into supporting a moratorium on deep-sea mining, a contentious practice opposed by 33 nations so far. Bolstering those numbers would send a rebuke to US President Donald Trump, who wants to allow seabed mining in international waters despite concerns over how little is understood about life at these depths. But it would also carry weight ahead of a closely watched meeting in July of the International Seabed Authority, which is haggling over global rules to govern the nascent deep-sea mining sector. - Actions not words - At the summit's close, nations will adopt a pre-agreed political statement that recognises the crisis facing oceans, and the global need to better protect them. Critics slammed the language in the eight-page document as weak or -- in the case of fossil fuels -- missing altogether, but others cautioned against reading into it too much. "The end declaration from here isn't really the only output. It's much more important, actually, what governments commit to, and what they come here to say on an individual basis," said Peter Haugan, policy director at the Institute of Marine Research in Norway. - Money matters - The conference is not a COP summit or a UN treaty negotiation, and any decisions made between June 9 and 13 in Nice are voluntary and not legally binding. But countries will still be expected to put money on the table in Nice to plug a massive shortfall in funding for ocean conservation, said Pauli Merriman at WWF International. "What we lack -- what we still lack -- is the ambition, the financing and the delivery needed to close the gap," she told reporters. "It's not enough for governments to show up to Nice with good intentions." np/klm/js
Gulf Business
22-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
Saudi Arabia launches TOURISE, a global platform to reshape the ‘future of tourism'
Image: Getty Images/ For illustrative purposes Saudi Arabia's Minister of Tourism, Ahmed Al-Khateeb launched The initiative will convene public and private sector leaders across tourism, technology, investment and sustainability, aiming to unlock unprecedented deal flow and long-term transformation in the sector. The platform, anchored by a high-level advisory board comprising global industry leaders, will support year-round collaboration and investment, extending beyond a one-off event format. The inaugural, invite-only TOURISE Summit will be held in Riyadh from November 11 to 13, and will include a livestreamed global programme focused on four themes: AI-powered tourism, disruptive business models and investment, enhanced travel experiences, and sustainability-driven growth. 'Tourism is one of the most dynamic, connective forces in the world's economy, supporting one in ten jobs globally. But as the world evolves, the sector must too,' said Al-Khateeb during the platform's virtual launch. 'TOURISE will be the much-needed platform to shape the future of tourism… enabling the sector to be more resilient, connected, and inclusive than ever before.' TOURISE goes beyond a summit TOURISE is designed to go beyond a traditional summit, operating year-round through thematic working groups, cross-sector partnerships, and the publication of white papers and global indices developed with leading international organizations. These will cover tourism, sustainability, and economic development, aiming to set new global benchmarks. The platform is supported by a high-profile advisory board including: Julia Simpson, president and CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Luis Maroto, CEO of Amadeus Thomas Woldbye, CEO of Heathrow Airport Stephane Lefebvre, president of Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group Mario Enzesberger, founder and CEO of Liberty International Tourism Group Mo Gawdat, founder of One Billion Happy WTTC's Julia Simpson said, 'Public-private sector collaboration is critical to the continued success of travel and tourism worldwide. Together, we can address the challenges of today while co-creating a sustainable and innovative future for tomorrow.' TOURISE Awards and exhibition An Innovation Zone at the Riyadh summit will showcase cutting-edge technologies and solutions from companies of all sizes, spanning AI, sustainable mobility, and travel experience design. Saudi Arabia's launch of TOURISE comes as it strengthens its position as a global tourism hub. The country reached its Vision 2030 goal of 100 million annual visitors seven years ahead of schedule in 2024. Tourism now contributes nearly 5 per cent to its national GDP, second only to oil. To further recognize excellence in the industry, the TOURISE Awards were also announced. The awards will highlight achievements in sustainability, digital transformation, inclusive tourism, cultural preservation, and workforce development. Nominations open June 2, with winners announced at the Riyadh summit. With support from global organisations including UN Tourism, WTTC and the World Economic Forum, TOURISE positions Saudi Arabia as a central player in shaping the future of global tourism. Read:
CBC
19-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Carney attends Pope Leo XIV's inaugural mass
Pope Leo XIV kicked off his papacy with his inaugural mass in Vatican City, drawing thousands including Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who used the visit to meet with global leaders in preparation for next month's G7 in Alberta.
Bloomberg
09-05-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Trump's First Trade Pact Offers Faint Glimpse on Art of the Deal
Save Supply Lines is a daily newsletter that tracks global trade. Sign up here. For global leaders puzzling over how to negotiate with Donald Trump, the US president's inaugural pact with the UK offers a few clues on how much ground he's prepared to give.
