UN Treaty for the Conservation of the High Seas

The General Assembly of the United Nations gathered from the 20 February to 3 March 2023 to discuss the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction.

A settlement was found after 15 years of negotiations. This legally binding agreement would address three main issues : the creation of marine protected areas MPAs in the high seas, the development of studies on the impact of humans activities on the marine environment and the equitable sharing of benefits from marine resources.

The current concern is which member states will ratify the document. At this time, nothing has been ratified or published. Its acceptance and enforcement would be a step forward in resolving disputes peacefully between states through supranational authorities and the establishment of a binding international law of the high seas.