High Seas Treaty: A Lifeline for Marine Biodiversity

Coastal areas, where 40% of the world’s people live, and 12 of the 15 biggest cities are located, are dealing with problems like pollution, wildlife loss, and climate change. Blue ecosystems, essential for local communities, jobs, and the global economy, play a key role in reaching global biodiversity and development goals. Keeping these ecosystems healthy helps protect economic resources, boost biodiversity, and strengthen resilience against challenges.

The United Nations has adopted a historic treaty aimed  to protect life on high seas from pollution, climate change, and overfishing. This treaty extends environmental protections to two-thirds of the ocean beyond national jurisdictions. It uses a new framework for marine resource conservation, sustainable use, and management and introduces governance tools and institutional mechanisms to enhance decision-making and ensure equitable benefit sharing.

Through its coordinating role and strengthening cooperation among relevant global, regional, and sectoral bodies, as well as existing legal instruments and frameworks, the treaty has the potential to significantly contribute to the protection and sustainable use of marine biodiversity. For instance, it outlines a procedure for establishing area-based management tools within the high seas, including marine protected areas. This aligns with the Kunming-Montreal targets of safeguarding 30% of the world’s terrestrial and marine ecosystems by 2030. Achieving this level of protection would support ocean recovery and move us toward a healthier, more resilient, and productive ocean ecosystem.