UN member states race to secure a deal protecting the world’s oceans before the talks conclude this Friday. Delegates gathered in New York since February 20 face a fluid outcome, with deep disagreements on several core issues clouding the path to an agreement.
“There has been progress this past week, yet many questions remain unresolved”, said Nathalie Rey of the High Seas Alliance, a coalition that includes around 40 environmental NGOs. AFP reported her remarks as negotiations continue.
Another voice expressed guarded optimism. “We must intensify efforts in the second week to secure a deal. I remain hopeful that an agreement is within reach.”
Conversely, some negotiators have been more pessimistic about finishing before Friday.
“Negotiations are moving slowly, often in circles”, commented Laura Meller of Greenpeace in a formal briefing.
Conference chair Rena Lee urged negotiators on Monday to stay flexible and creative, acknowledging that several pivotal issues are still unresolved.
Efforts to balance ambition with practicality were echoed by various voices. A prominent warning noted that without constructive concessions, two decades of work could be undermined and the opportunity to protect global biodiversity might pass unfulfilled.
Meanwhile, a Jamaican representative cautioned that flexibility must not erode long-term goals.
The core challenge of safeguarding the high seas
The high seas begin where national Exclusive Economic Zones end, extending up to 200 nautical miles (370 kilometers) from coastlines, placing them beyond any single country’s jurisdiction.
These waters account for more than 60 percent of the world’s oceans and cover nearly half the planet’s surface. They have historically received less attention than coastal zones, even as biodiversity there remains vital to global ecosystems.
A revised draft published last weekend retains numerous parentheses and a wide range of options, with several key decisions still open to negotiation. The strength of the final agreement will hinge on these choices.
Questions about establishing new marine protected areas—central to the future framework—continue to spark debate.
“When the last round ended in August, the agreement was about 95 percent solid; concerns have since grown that momentum has waned”, noted Minna Epps of the International Union for Conservation of Nature to AFP.
China and the governance question
Several observers noted that China appears to advocate for a consensus-based future governing body for any new accord, rather than a simple majority vote on protected areas.
There is concern that Beijing could exercise de facto veto power, a tactic seen in earlier international efforts to regulate marine life resources in other regions.
Laura Meller of Greenpeace urged China to acknowledge its leadership role, recalling the COP15 presidency in Montreal when governments pledged to protect 30 percent of the planet’s land and seas by 2030.
This target is unlikely to be met without broad protection of the high seas, which currently have only a small fraction protected.
Another contentious area involves assessing environmental impacts from offshore mining and how profits from newly found marine materials will be shared—issues that tend to highlight disparities between wealthy and developing nations.
One negotiator described progress on this topic as “pretty close.” Observers say easing this point could unlock other areas of disagreement.
“Any concessions must still translate into a real change to the status quo; otherwise biodiversity loss will continue unchecked”, cautioned Andreas Hansen of The Nature Conservancy.
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