Secretary-General Ant\u00f3nio Guterres has congratulated UN member countries for finalizing a text to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, calling it a \u201cbreakthrough\u201d after nearly two decades of talks.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis action is a\u00a0victory for multilateralism<\/a>\u00a0and for global efforts to counter the destructive trends facing ocean health, now and for generations to come,\u201d said the UN chief in a statement issued by his Spokesperson late Saturday evening just hours after the deal was struck at UN Headquarters in New York, where\u00a0tough negotiations<\/a>\u00a0on the draft treaty have been under way for the past two weeks.<\/p>\n The agreement reached by delegates of the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, better known by its acronym\u00a0BBNJ<\/a>, is the culmination of UN-facilitated talks that began in 2004.<\/p>\n Already being referred to as the \u2018High Seas Treaty\u2019, the legal framework would put more money into marine conservation and covers access to and use of marine genetic resources.<\/p>\n Through his Spokesperson, Mr. Guterres said the treaty is crucial for addressing the triple planetary crisis of climate change<\/a>, biodiversity loss and pollution.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is also vital for achieving ocean-related goals and targets of the\u00a02030 Agenda for Sustainable Development<\/a>, and the\u00a0Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework<\/a>,\u201d said the statement, referring to the so-called\u00a0\u201830 by 30<\/a>\u2019 pledge to protect 30 per cent of the planet\u2019s lands and inland waters, as well as of marine and coastal areas, by 2030 made by a historic UN conference in Montreal this past December.<\/p>\n Noting that the BBNJ decision builds on the legacy of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS<\/a>), the Secretary-General commended all parties for their ambition, flexibility and perseverance, and saluted Ambassador Rena Lee, of Singapore, for her leadership and dedication.<\/p>\n \u201cLadies and gentlemen,\u00a0the ship has reached the shore<\/a>,\u201d Ms. Lee said last night, announcing the agreement to an extended standing ovation in the meeting<\/a> room. Delegations will reconvene later to formally adopt the text.<\/p>\n The statement issued by the UN Spokesperson said the Secretary-General also recognized the critical support of non-governmental organizations, civil society, academic<\/a> institutions and the scientific community.<\/p>\n \u201cHe looks forward to continuing working with all parties to secure a healthier, more resilient, and more productive ocean, benefiting current and future generations,\u201d the statement concluded.<\/p>\n Reacting<\/a>\u00a0on Twitter, Csaba K\u0151r\u00f6si, President of the 77th<\/sup>\u00a0session of the UN General Assembly, also congratulated the delegates and Ms. Lee for reaching consensus on a global legal framework<\/a> for the high seas.<\/p>\n