UN chief warns against unregulated deep-sea mining
bbc.com —
UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned against unregulated deep-sea mining, stating oceans cannot become a "Wild West" at the UN Oceans Conference. Guterres's warning, echoed by French President Emmanuel Macron, follows President Trump's decision to permit extraction of critical minerals in international waters, sparking environmental concerns. Scientists urge a halt to deep-sea exploration until impacts are fully researched. The conference aims to secure ratification of a High Seas Treaty, aiming to protect 30% of international waters by 2030, though concerns remain about enforcement and destructive fishing practices.