The deep sea, which covers 54% of the oceans, remains largely unknown: only 5% have been explored. Yet, since 2022, 33 states have called for a precautionary pause in the face of deep-sea mining projects. This position is based on alarming scientific studies: the abyss shelters a unique biodiversity, plays a key role in climate regulation and their destruction would have irreversible consequences.

Under international law (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea), deep seabed resources are a heritage of mankind, managed by the International Seabed Authority (ISA). Any exploitation outside this framework would be illegal. However, the polymetallic nodules, coveted for their rare metals, take millions of years to form – their extraction would therefore be unsustainable.

Mining would generate plumes of toxic sediments, threatening abyssal wildlife and the food chain. Deep ecosystems, essential for carbon storage, could be sustainably altered. Yet, their genetic resources could revolutionize medicine, agri-food or the fight against global warming.

At the United Nations Ocean Conference (Nice, 9-13 June), the signatory States (Austria, Chile, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Ireland, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Palau, Panama, Peru[1], Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Vanuatu.) request:

Strict compliance with international law;

The acceleration of scientific research;

A cautionary pause on deep-sea mining.

[1] The Republic of Peru is not a party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Photo Credit: chasse-marée.com

On 9 June, the leaders of ten Mediterranean countries and the European Union met at the invitation of the French president for the summit “For a better connected Mediterranean”, on the sidelines of the UN Ocean Conference. The objective: to strengthen maritime, land and digital links between Europe, the Mediterranean and the Arabian-Persian Gulf, in response to the common challenges of the region.

The Mediterranean, which accounts for 25% of global maritime traffic, is seeing its states step up their ecological efforts. Since 1 May 2025, a SECA (low sulphur emissions) zone covers the entire Mediterranean, while ports such as Algeciras, Beirut and Marseille have committed to reducing their emissions through charging stations and alternative fuels. Croatia also announced a new green and automated terminal in Rijeka.

The European Commission recalled its financial commitment through the Global Gateway strategy, with 5.9 billion euros released for North Africa and the Middle East, capable of generating 27.2 billion in investments. The new Pact for the Mediterranean aims to consolidate economic and energy partnerships, particularly through the India-Middle East-Europe (IMEC) corridor, supported by France.

Energy projects are multiplying: Saudi Arabia, France, Italy and Greece are studying collaborations on green hydrogen, while Cyprus and Greece are advancing on interconnections such as the GREGY cable (Egypt-Greece). The TeraMED initiative could also accelerate renewable energies in North Africa.

On the digital side, the EU presented Medusa, an undersea optical fibre network linking the two Mediterranean shores, while the digital hub in Aqaba (Jordan) strengthens regional technological influence. 

On 4 and 5 October 2024, France became the world’s cultural epicenter. It hosted the 19th Francophonie Summit, an event that had not been held in France for 33 years. With the theme “Créer, innover, entreprendre en français”, more than a hundred delegations, including several heads of African states, arrived in Villers-Cotterêts and Paris to promote the French language and address major contemporary issues such as politics, the economy, digital and especially culture.

Under the sign of linguistic and cultural diversity
On 4 October, French President Emmanuel Macron, his wife and Louise Mushikiwabo, Secretary General of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), received several personalities at the Village de la Francophonie at CENTQUATRE-PARIS, from various parts of the world and sharing the French language. It was a unique immersion in the Francophone cultural diversity. More than 30 countries and regions of the world were represented through pavilions, shows and performances, illustrating the creativity and richness of living arts from five continents as well as the vitality and plurality of francophone cultures.

Major diplomatic and political issues
The summit was not only a cultural event. It was also a major political platform, as more than 321 million people around the world share this language. Emmanuel Macron, accompanied by Louise Mushikiwabo, opened the event with a fiery speech in Villers-Cotterêts. He highlighted the resilience and reinvention of the French language. “La Francophonie is a space of diplomatic influence that allows us to embrace the challenges of the century,” said the French president, stressing that the French language is a tool for “resistance” and “combat”. True to his style, he used strong language while emphasizing the role of the Francophonie in defending sovereignty and territorial integrity, referring to the conflict in Ukraine and the crises in the Middle East.

Institutions that are stumbling
Founded in 1970, the OIF brings together 88 states and governments and is committed to the promotion of French and international cooperation. This year’s summit sees the addition of two new members, Ghana and Cyprus, strengthening the organization’s global reach. However, the current geopolitical tensions, especially with the Sahelian countries in the grip of coups (Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger), are also at the heart of the discussions. These states, suspended from the OIF’s bodies, were not invited to the event. The summit also addresses crucial issues such as digital regulation. In response to the spread of hate speech online, the OIF launched “l’Appel de Villers-Cotterêts”, a call to digital giants to build a safer and more diverse digital space.

A booming Francophonie
The number of French speakers could grow exponentially, especially in Africa where population is expanding. By 2050, this figure could reach 715 million, placing the Francophonie at the heart of global educational and economic issues. However, this ambition requires a significant investment in French language education and support, especially in developing countries. Although the Francophonie is sometimes criticized for its lack of visibility or limited influence, Louise Mushikiwabo remains optimistic about her ability to “move things forward” despite the challenges.

A memorable international event
The year 2024 is a great year for the Francophonie. After the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the D-Day and the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, these historic moments can be said to reinforce the importance of the French language on the international stage. In order to show that the Francophonie is not limited to the French language, several English-speaking countries, such as Ghana, were invited. In a world resolutely turned towards the use of English, the French language still has good days ahead.