Treaty of the High Seas: the United States of America join the High Ambition Coalition on biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction

The United States of America has announced their intention to join the High Ambition Coalition on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Search for available translations of the preceding. The coalition, launched by the EU at the One Ocean Summit in Brest in 2022, now gathers 51 parties. These parties are committed, at the highest political level, to achieve as soon as possible an ambitious international agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ, also known as the “Treaty of the High Seas”), under the auspices of the United Nations. The areas beyond national jurisdiction comprise 95% of the ocean. The treaty will allow to designate marine protected areas and will regulate human activities in the High Seas. The announcement from the United States takes place at a crucial time ahead of a decisive new round of talks, due to start on 20 February in the United Nations. The adoption of the High Seas Treaty is a key priority for the European Union. The EU will continue to work closely with the members of the coalition and all delegations to conclude the negotiations at the resumed session, which will take place in New York from 20 February to 3 March 2023. Important progress has been made during last year’s 4th and 5th Intergovernmental Conference and during the intersessional period. The EU and its Member States are hopeful that the decision of the United States to join the coalition will inspire other delegations to do the same, in order to approach the coming negotiating session with a greater sense of purpose and urgency.