UN Reaches First Global Treaty for High Seas Protection

After years of negotiations to protect the high seas, United Nations member states have agreed on a text for the first international treaty regarding these waters, which constitute a fragile and vital treasure covering about half of the planet, according to "Agence France-Presse." Conference President Rina Lee announced the agreement at the UN headquarters in New York, stating, "The ship has reached shore." Activists expressed their relief, noting that reaching this agreement represents a step towards protecting biodiversity after discussions lasting more than 15 years. Laura Miller from Greenpeace highlighted that "this is a historic day to remember and a signal that in a divided world, nature and people can triumph over geopolitical circumstances." The European Commissioner for the Environment, Virginijus Sinkevičius, described the agreement's text as "a critical step forward for the conservation of marine life and the biodiversity essential for us and future generations."