After two weeks of negotiations, the member states of the UN separated on Friday without managing to finalize the treaty to protect the high seas, several major disputes remaining to be overcome to give birth to this crucial agreement for the ocean, a fragile and vital treasure. for Humanity.

Started more than 15 years ago, the discussions on a binding text aimed at safeguarding this vast area which covers almost half of the planet were in their fifth session.

It was to be the last, as was already to be the fourth in March.

But, despite discussions that spilled over into Friday evening, that was not enough.

"We have never been so close to the finish line in this process," noted conference president Rena Lee, noting "excellent progress."

But “we still need a bit of time,” she added, garnering plenary approval to suspend work sine die.

The UN General Assembly will now be seized of the request to resume this 5th session on a date yet to be determined.

The suffering and disappointed Pacific islands

"Despite the disappointment of not having finalized the treaty, we are encouraged by the progress made," commented Liz Karan, of the NGO Pew Charitable Trusts, calling for a new session by the end of the year.

Greenpeace was more severe, accusing in particular the United States and the countries of the Coalition for High Ambition, led by the EU, of having waited until the last moment to demonstrate this “self-proclaimed” ambition.

Too late: "The time is up," denounced Laura Meller, Oceans manager of the NGO.

"As countries continue to talk, the oceans and those who depend on them are suffering," she added in a statement.

Among the victims, the developing island states of the Pacific.

On their behalf, the very moved representative of Samoa expressed her “disappointment”.

“We live very far away and it is expensive to come here (…) Money that is not spent on roads, medicines, schools”.

Only 1% of the oceans are protected

Among the most contentious subjects, the distribution of the possible profits resulting from the exploitation of the genetic resources of the high seas, where pharmaceutical, chemical and cosmetic industries hope to discover miraculous molecules.

These questions of North-South equity cross many international negotiations, in particular those on the climate where the developing countries victims but not responsible for the warming claim in vain to the rich countries to respect their promises of financial assistance.

This future treaty specifically targets the high seas which begins where the exclusive economic zones (EEZ) of the States end, at a maximum of 200 nautical miles (370 km) from the coast, and which is therefore not under the jurisdiction of any country.

While the good health of marine ecosystems is crucial for the future of humanity, in particular to limit global warming, only 1% of this space, which represents 60% of the oceans, is protected.

One of the pillars of the treaty on “the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction” is to allow the creation of marine protected areas there.

"A crucial step in efforts to protect at least 30% of the planet by 2030," said Maxine Burkett, an oceans official at the US State Department, this week.

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