Tamil Nadu invited to summit on ocean rise resilience

On March 20, 2025, the French Ambassador to India, Thierry Mathou, invited Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to a high-level summit about ocean rise and coastal resilience. This summit will take place ahead of the United Nations Ocean Conference in June 2025. Mathou praised Tamil Nadu for its proactive efforts in addressing issues related to coastal resilience. He emphasized that these initiatives make the state an important participant in the upcoming Ocean Rise and Coastal Resilience Coalition Summit. While speaking to the media aboard the Plastic Odyssey, a French ship on a mission to combat plastic pollution, Mathou discussed the significant challenges posed by climate change and rising sea levels. He highlighted the need for local and national governments to work together to find new funding and support for these pressing issues. The summit aims to address the impacts of ocean rise on regions and cities around the world, especially the Pacific islands. However, Mathou noted that India, particularly Tamil Nadu, could play a vital role in developing effective solutions. Mathou, along with other officials, visited the Plastic Odyssey during its month-long stay in Chennai. The ship has traveled to 35 countries, documenting local efforts to reduce plastic use. The CEO of Plastic Odyssey mentioned ongoing projects to promote sustainable recycling models. Additionally, the European Union is collaborating with India to support research and innovation focused on reducing plastic waste. Mathou highlighted Tamil Nadu's leadership in sustainability initiatives within India.