'Marine Ecosystem Conservation' UN Global Treaty Drafting Fails Again

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Major foreign media reported on the 27th (local time) that the United Nations (UN) marine treaty to protect marine ecosystems has once again failed due to a breakdown in compromise among member states.

According to foreign media, the 5th meeting of the UN Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) was held at the UN Headquarters in New York from the 15th to the 27th to conclude this treaty, but no agreement was reached.

Member states clashed repeatedly during this meeting over issues such as benefit-sharing related to marine life, the establishment of protected areas, and restrictions on human activities affecting marine life in international waters.

BBNJ is a treaty embodying the international community's resolve to protect biodiversity and sustainably use marine life in waters beyond national jurisdiction. The treaty targets international waters, which are areas beyond Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) extending into the open ocean. Typically, these are waters located more than 200 nautical miles (approximately 370 km) from each country's coast. Although international waters account for 64% of the world's oceans, only 1.2% of them are currently protected.

Concerns over international waters have increased due to climate change caused by global warming, overfishing, and reckless resource development. One of the core provisions of the BBNJ is to designate protected marine areas covering 30% of the world's oceans by 2030 amid these crises.

Unless a special emergency meeting for the treaty's enactment is convened at the 77th UN General Assembly next month, the next meeting will be postponed until next year.

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