For more than fifteen years the world has been a major global agreement to protect the oceans But until now, it has not been possible to create a unanimous commitment on how to protect a resource that belongs to both everyone and no one. This week, members of the United Nations will meet to revisit this debate. The goal is to sign once and for all. first global ocean agreement (equivalent to the Paris Agreement for the world’s seas). The last three attempts to close this pact have failed. And now there are those who fear being fought for. ‘looting of offshore resources’ do the same thing again.
These Keys to understanding negotiations the global treaty on the oceans and main pitfalls it has, at least so far, undermined the signing of a deal.
ocean protection
The fight to protect the oceans has been on the table for decades. In 1982, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) declared the seabed and ocean floor a “heritage of humanity” and launched the first major global appeal. protect these ecosystems. in 2018 official negotiations have begun to create the first global ocean agreement. The aim was to close a global agreement in 2020, but the arrival of the covid-19 pandemic on the one hand and the heated debate between the states on the other delayed the signing of the agreement. This 168 members of the United Nations They will meet between February 27 and March 3 to restart the discussion.
offshore law
The vast majority of debates currently preventing the signing of the treaty have to do with how to regulate human activity in the high seas. That is, in international waters and they evade all national jurisdiction. More than two-thirds of the oceans (equivalent to 11 million square kilometers) fall under this definition. As no country can enforce its own laws in these areas, the only way to regulate their use is through international cooperation mechanisms. Experts and organizations, in fact, want to make a strong, ambitious and binding agreement. Protecting 30% of the oceans by 2030.
protected areas
It is estimated that only 10% of marine areas are currently protected. Most are in coastal areas. In the high seas, only 1.4% of the waters benefit from this status. In December 2022, montreal summit It has managed to complete a global agreement to protect 30% of the planet’s surface by 2030, and this also applies to the oceans. Expand the scope of protected areas This means drawing a new global map of marine reserves on the one hand and imposing a series of restrictions and prohibitions on these areas on the other. This means, for example: limiting fishing, boat traffic or exploitation activities. Not all countries welcome the implementation of these measures.
genetic resources
Someone The main pitfalls of negotiations It is a subject practically unknown to the general public, but countries, companies and industries key: exploitation of genetic resources. During offshore exploration species, microorganisms and substances are discovered It is used to make products in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries, among others. HE rescheduled comes from (first approved treatment against covid-19) a species taken from the open seas. The same is true for some precursor cancer treatments. In some cases, it is necessary to capture these organisms to make these products. In others, compounds are synthesized and uploaded to digital stores. However Who owns these resources?? Who should profit from their exploitation?
The Oceans Treaty is preparing to enact this issue, which is currently in no one’s hands. Some countries, as with transboundary fishing operations, part of the profits of these products. Others, such as the United States or Canada, argue that profits should remain in countries that support such expeditions. Everything indicates that the final agreement will try to put an end to this issue, but it is not yet clear how this will be defined.
environmental considerations
Another big topic of discussion is how to protect marine ecosystems from the progression of the climate crisis. Currently, more than 45,000 marine species are estimated to be threatened with extinction due to environmental damage, pollution, rising water temperatures or acidification caused by our species. The ocean treaty aims to establish a mechanism. assessing the environmental impact Discussion again details who, how and when should carry out these studies and implement the relevant measures in order to limit the effects of different human activities in international waters.
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