Luxembourg States Commitment to Ocean Protection, Resource Governance in Nice

On Friday 13 June 2025, Luxembourg’s Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity reported on Minister of the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity, Serge Wilmes’, attendance at the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, on Monday June 9 2025.

The ministry reported that during the conference, Luxembourg stated its commitment to preserving the oceans, combating climate change and biodiversity loss and strengthening global governance of marine resources was reaffirmed.

According to the ministry, Minister Wilmes highlighted Luxembourg's active contribution to the sustainable blue economy through several international climate financing initiatives. These include the Blue Natural Capital Finance Facility, established jointly with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), as well as projects carried out in partnership with the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), targeting small island developing states. Luxembourg also reiterated its support for the moratorium on deep-sea mining, which remains a national priority, as seabed mining represents a major risk to ecosystems.

"The water cycle is a closed cycle. Every drop of water that touches Luxembourg soil will one day return to it. The influence of the oceans on our climate, our food security and our survival is obvious. In the same spirit, we assume our responsibility to protect them," emphasised Minister Wilmes.

The ministry stated that no mining permits should be granted until the deep seabed - rich in as-yet-unknown life forms - has been thoroughly researched as the risk of causing irreversible damage to a fragile and largely unexplored ecosystem presents too high a risk. 

Moreover, the ministry said that Luxembourg's candidacy for membership in UNESCO's Executive Board demonstrated the Luxembourg government's commitment to promoting multilateral action based on solidarity, cooperation and sustainability.