the first treaty to protect the high seas adopted at the UN

“The ocean is the life force of our planet.” UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres hailed a “historic achievement”, following the adoption, on Monday 19 June, of the first international treaty to protect the high seas by the Member States of the UN. A key agreement to counter the threats to the ocean and its good health, which is also vital for humanity.

While marine ecosystems are threatened by climate change, pollution and overfishing, science has proven the importance of protecting the oceans, which abound in often microscopic biodiversity, provide half the oxygen we breathe and limits global warming by absorbing a significant part of the CO2 emitted by human activities. Even if it represents almost half of the planet and more than 60% of the oceans, the high seas have long been ignored in the environmental fight, in favor of coastal areas and a few emblematic species.

At least 60 ratifications required before entry into force

With the adoption of the treaty, “the race for ratification begins and the goal of protecting at least 30% of the oceans by 2030 remains within reach”, commented Chris Thorne, campaign manager at Greenpeace. The new treatise on “the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction” also introduces the obligation to carry out environmental impact studies for activities planned on the high seas. Today, only 1% of the high seas is subject to conservation measures.

The text will be opened for signature on September 20, when dozens of heads of state and government will be in New York for the UN General Assembly. The NGOs estimate that the threshold of 60 ratifications to enter into force should not be too difficult to reach, the treaty being already supported by the EU and around fifty countries, including Japan, Chile, India or Mexico. Russia has taken its “distance” with the Treaty, qualifying certain elements of the text as “totally unacceptable”.