Nearly two-thirds of the world's oceans are located in the high seas. Because they are not under the jurisdiction of any nation, they are often subject to improper development and exploitation. After nearly 20 years of negotiations, the United Nations (UN) finally adopted the world's first international agreement to protect the high seas on the 19th. Currently, only 1% of the high seas is protected. Once the High Seas Treaty enters into force, the UN will establish a new ocean regulatory agency and establish a legal framework for high seas marine protected areas, allowing more of the high seas to be protected and taking a major step towards its goal of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030. The High Seas Treaty is a legally binding international instrument drafted under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ). Agreement was reached in March of this year and formally adopted this week. According to the UN, the agreement will be open for signature at UN Headquarters in New York on September 20, 2023, and will enter into force only after 60 countries have ratified it. The UN Secretary-General must convene a Conference of the Parties (COP) within one year of its entry into force. By the end of 2022, nearly 200 countries agreed to protect 30% of their land and oceans by 2030, the \"30x30\" target. The high seas treaty is crucial to achieving \"30x30.\" UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told representatives on the 19th, \"The oceans are the lifeblood of our planet, and today, you are breathing new life into them, giving them a fighting chance.\" Guterres noted that the oceans face multiple threats. Climate change is disrupting weather patterns and ocean currents, raising sea temperatures and impacting marine ecosystems. Overfishing, overexploitation, and ocean acidification are damaging biodiversity. He called on countries to sign and ratify the agreement without delay. In addition to protected areas, the high seas treaty also includes mechanisms to reduce marine pollution, such as the polluter-pays principle. Future development or plans on the high seas must first assess their potential environmental impacts. Regarding fishery resource management, regional ocean organizations and fisheries management agencies will be strengthened to reduce overfishing. The EU pledged to facilitate the expedited ratification and implementation of the treaty through the \u20ac40 million EU Global Ocean Programme. The Associated Press reported that the treaty includes the principle of sharing marine genetic resources. Wealthy nations profit from the development and extraction of specialized pharmaceutical or cosmetic ingredients from high seas resources. Developing nations argue that these benefits should not be monopolized by wealthy nations. Small island nations also expressed support, arguing that this would have profound impacts on their livelihoods, culture, and economy. Russia expressed \"unacceptability,\" claiming that the treaty's contents violate existing international agreements such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Chris Thorne of Greenpeace stated that the high seas treaty is a victory for all life on Earth. We must protect 30% of the ocean by 2030 to give the ocean a chance to recover and thrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Source: Environmental Information Center (https:\/\/e-info.org.tw\/node\/237040)<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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