New High Seas Treaty Gives Oceans a ‘Fighting Chance’
Climate and Health 20/06/2023 •
Two-thirds of the world’s oceans are unregulated and subject to overfishing and pollution.

After almost 20 years of negotiations, the United Nations has adopted a legally binding treaty to protect the marine biodiversity of sea outside national borders known as the high seas, which cover two-thirds of the world’s oceans.

The High Seas Treaty was adopted by consensus at the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction on Monday. 

It will come into force once ratified by 60 of the 193 UN member states.

“The ocean is the lifeblood of our planet, and today, you have pumped new life and hope to give the ocean a fighting chance,” the UN Secretary-General António Guterres told delegates.

The treaty, an international legally binding instrument under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, aims to “ensure the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, for the present and in the long term”.

However, after its adoption Venezuela’s delegate pointed out that his country is not a party to the convention, so is not bound by the treaty. Meanwhile, Russia also distanced itself from the consensus, claiming that it feared the agreement would be politicised.

The new agreement contains 75 articles to protect and ensure the responsible use of the marine environment including provisions based on the polluter-pays principle.

This is particularly important to contain toxic chemicals and plastic waste. More than 17 million tons of plastic entered the world’s oceans in 2021, and this is expected to double or triple each year by 2040, according to the latest Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) report.

The treaty intends to establish new marine protected areas, to conserve and sustainably manage vital habitats and species in the high seas and the international seabed area.

The treaty also considers the special circumstances facing small-island and landlocked developing nations.

The treaty also underlines the importance of capacity building, including collaboration among regional seas organisations and regional fisheries management organisations to regulate the high seas.

The treaty also offers guidance on tackling the adverse effects of climate change and ocean acidification, and maintains and restores ecosystem integrity, including carbon cycling services.

“We have a new tool,” UN General Assembly President Csaba Kőrösi told the Intergovernmental Conference delegates on Monday. “This landmark achievement bears witness to your collective commitment to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. Together, you laid the foundation for a better stewardship of our seas, ensuring their survival for generations to come.

Image Credits: Julia Goralski/ Unsplash.

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