March 29, 2025 | 11:59 GMT +7

  • Click to copy
Sunday- 13:52, 28/08/2022

UN session on high seas biodiversity ends without agreement

(VAN) United Nations member states ended two weeks of negotiations on Friday (Aug 26) without a treaty to protect biodiversity in the high seas, an agreement that would have addressed growing environmental and economic challenges.
Many had hoped that the fifth session of negotiations on a marine biodiversity treaty for international waters, which began on Aug 15, 2022 at the United Nations headquarters in New York, would have been the last. Photo: AFP/STR

Many had hoped that the fifth session of negotiations on a marine biodiversity treaty for international waters, which began on Aug 15, 2022 at the United Nations headquarters in New York, would have been the last. Photo: AFP/STR

After 15 years, including four prior formal sessions, negotiators have yet to reach a legally binding text to address the multitude of issues facing international waters - a zone that encompasses almost half the planet.

"Although we did make excellent progress, we still do need a little bit more time to progress towards the finish line," said conference chair Rena Lee.

It will now be up to the UN General Assembly to resume the fifth session at a date still to be determined.

Many had hoped the session, which began on Aug 15 at the UN headquarters in New York, would be the last and yield a final text on "the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction", or BBNJ for short.

"While it's disappointing that the treaty wasn't finalised during the past two weeks of negotiations, we remain encouraged by the progress that was made," said Liz Karan of the non-governmental organisation (NGO) Pew Charitable Trusts, calling for a new session by the end of the year.

One of the most sensitive issues in the text revolved around the sharing of possible profits from the development of genetic resources in international waters, where pharmaceutical, chemical and cosmetic companies hope to find miracle drugs, products or cures.

Such costly research at sea is largely the prerogative of rich nations, but developing countries do not want to be left out of potential windfall profits drawn from marine resources that belong to no one.

"MISSED OPPORTUNITY"

Similar issues of equity arise in other international negotiations, such as on climate change, in which developing nations that feel outsized harm from global warming have tried in vain to get wealthier countries to help pay to offset those impacts.

The high seas begin at the border of a nation's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) - which by international law reaches no more than 370km from its coast - and are under no state's jurisdiction.

Sixty per cent of the world's oceans fall under this category.

And while healthy marine ecosystems are crucial to the future of humanity, particularly to limit global warming, only one percent of international waters are protected.

One of the key pillars of an eventual BBNJ treaty is to allow the creation of marine protected areas, which many nations hope will cover 30 per cent of the Earth's ocean by 2030.

"Without establishing protections in this vast area, we will not be able to meet our ambitious and necessary 30 by 30 goal," United States State Department official Maxine Burkett said at an earlier press conference.

But delegations still disagree on the process for creating these protected areas as well as how required environmental impact assessments will be implemented before new high seas activity begins.

"What a missed opportunity ...," tweeted Klaudija Cremers, a researcher at the IDDRI think tank, which, like multiple other NGOs, has a seat with observer status at the negotiations.

The delegate from Samoa, addressing the conference on behalf of the smaller developing island nations of the Pacific, said they were "disappointed".

"We live very far and it is not cheap to travel all this way. This money was not spent on roads, on medicine, schools," she added.

"The Pacific came here in good faith and will continue to do so until we conclude this conference in the very near future," she said on the verge of tears, to applause from the room.

Laura Meller, of Greenpeace's Protect the Oceans campaign, said: "Time has run out. Further delay means ocean destruction. We are sad and disappointed. While countries continue to talk, the oceans and all those who rely on them will suffer."

Tr.D

(AFP)

Brazil faces inflation risks as surging corn prices eclipse rice plunge

Brazil faces inflation risks as surging corn prices eclipse rice plunge

(VAN) Corn prices in the Campinas region have surged past 90 reais ($15.80) per 60-kg bag, the highest nominal level in nearly three years, marking a more than 23% jump year-to-date, according to the widely followed Cepea index from the University of Sao Paulo.

Breaking cycle of forest land grabs

Breaking cycle of forest land grabs

(VAN) Thailand’s efforts to address landlessness among its population has been a priority for multiple administrations.

Engaging the next generation in the connection between forests and foods

Engaging the next generation in the connection between forests and foods

(VAN) FAO, together with the Government of Italy, and a forest expert and a master ice cream maker from Italy, educate young students on the significance of forest foods at FAO Park.

The glyphosate debate

The glyphosate debate

(VAN) The EU has recently approved the use of glyphosate for another decade. Bárbara Pinho examines the controversial pesticide’s presence in British farming and considers the possibility of a ban in the UK.

The spread of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza calls for stepped up action, FAO says

The spread of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza calls for stepped up action, FAO says

(VAN) Averting losses of hundreds of millions of poultry crucial to mitigate impacts on food security, nutrition and affordability of poultry products.

Indonesia's cocoa farmers work with businesses to fight the bitter impact of climate change

Indonesia's cocoa farmers work with businesses to fight the bitter impact of climate change

(VAN) The loud whirr of a chainsaw sounds through the forest as a small group of farmers gathers around a tree filled with red seed pods. With one slow stroke, a severed knobby branch hits the ground.

Advancing sorghum science: A drought-resilient crop for agriculture's future

Advancing sorghum science: A drought-resilient crop for agriculture's future

(VAN) The importance of this cereal lies in its role in the future of human and animal nutrition, providing a sustainable alternative for areas facing water scarcity.

Read more