UN head declares ‘ocean emergency’ as global leaders gather in Lisbon

Ocean Rebellion activists in Lisbon as UN declares ocean emergency. Photograph: Carlos Costa/AFP/Getty Images

The UN secretary general has declared that the world is in the middle of an “ocean emergency”, and urged governments to do more to restore ocean health.

Speaking at the opening of the UN ocean conference in Lisbon, Portugal, attended by global leaders and heads of state from 20 countries, António Guterres said: “Sadly, we have taken the ocean for granted and today we face what I would call an ocean emergency. We must turn the tide.”