UN states agrees on deal to protect high seas

On Saturday, United Nations (UN) member states finally agreed to a text on the historical international treaty after years of negotiations to protect the high seas.

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This is a ragile and crucial treasure that covers nearly half the planet.

BREAKTHROUGH FOR PROTECTION OF BIODIVERSITY – UN

While the exact wording of the text was not immediately released activists called it a breakthrough moment for the protection of biodiversity. This after more than 15 years of discussions by the UN.

“The ship has reached the shore,” conference chair Rena Lee announced at the UN headquarters in New York just before 21:30.

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The treaty is seen as essential to conserving 30% of the world’s land and ocean by 2030. This was agreed to by world governments in a historic accord signed in Montreal in December.

GREENSPACE ACTIVIST ON THE TREATY

“This is a historic day for conservation and a sign that in a divided world, protecting nature and people can triumph over geopolitics,” said Greenpeace’s Laura Meller.

“There will be no reopening or discussions of substance,” Lee told negotiators. The agreement will be formally adopted by the UN at a later date.

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ABOUT THE HIGH SEAS

According to UN, the high seas begin at the border of countries’ exclusive economic zones. This extends up to 370 kilometers from coastlines.

The high seas consists more than 60% of the world’s oceans and nearly half the planet’s surface. Ocean ecosystems create half the oxygen humans breathe and limit global warming by absorbing much of the carbon dioxide produced by human activities.

Only about 1% of the high seas are currently protected. When the new treaty comes into force it will allow the creation of marine protected areas in these international waters.