After marathon negotiations, The United Nations announced a historic agreement to protect the world’s oceans.   

It’s called the UN High Seas Treaty and establishes protections for international waters. 

That’s the area beyond national jurisdictions which makes up two-thirds of the Earth’s ocean surface. 193 countries agreed to collaborate on threats to the high seas including biodiversity loss, pollution and climate change.   

Environmental groups are hopeful this treaty will address an important gap in marine conservation.  

Joining the discussion: 

• Peter Li is an Associate Professor of East Asian Politics, Animal Policy and Law in China at the University of Houston.  
• Mohammed Mahmoud is the Director of the Climate and Water Program at the Middle East Institute.   
• Julian Jackson is a Senior Manager with The Pew Charitable Trusts. He leads Europe’s campaign to protect ocean life on the high seas.   
• Minna Epps is the Head of IUCN Ocean, Centre for Conservation Action.  

A UN high seas biodiversity treaty could turn a lawless ocean into protected ecosystems https://t.co/jtAEEsolTA

— Bloomberg (@business) March 16, 2023

A huge deal for the ocean: why the High Seas Treaty matters.https://t.co/0Pu0ethRKd

— World Economic Forum (@wef) March 7, 2023

After years of negotiations, the United Nations has finally agreed on a treaty to safeguard biodiversity in international waters, covering a vast two-thirds of the world's oceans.

Here's what to know about why this treaty matters.https://t.co/0KjWK8RFLC

— NPR (@NPR) March 7, 2023