UN Agrees on Historic Treaty to Protect Biodiversity in High Seas, Signing a Major Victory for Conservationists

Today marks a historic day for conservation, as the United Nations has agreed on a unified treaty to protect biodiversity in the high seas. This is the first time that such a treaty has been agreed upon, and it represents a turning point for vast stretches of the planet where conservation has previously been hampered by a confusing patchwork of laws.

Nearly 200 countries have signed the legally-binding treaty, which will protect marine life in international waters. These waters cover around half of the planet’s surface, but have long been essentially lawless. The treaty provides legal tools to establish and manage marine protected areas, as well as environmental assessments to evaluate the potential damage of commercial activities, such as deep sea mining, before they start. It also includes a pledge by signatories to share ocean resources.

The agreement was signed on Saturday evening after two weeks of negotiations at the United Nations headquarters in New York ended in a mammoth final session of more than 36 hours. However, the treaty has been two decades in the making, with previous efforts to reach an agreement having failed.

The treaty is a major victory for conservationists, who have long been advocating for greater protection of the world’s oceans. It is hoped that the agreement will help to protect the planet’s biodiversity, as well as ensure the sustainable use of ocean resources.