A historic deal aims to protect the world’s oceans, but hurdles remain
By Ariana Eunjung Cha | NPR
After more than a decade of negotiations, countries reached a landmark agreement in March to protect the high seas – areas of the ocean beyond national jurisdiction that comprise nearly two-thirds of the planet. The treaty, formally known as the High Seas Treaty, is intended to establish a legal framework for creating marine protected areas, assessing the environmental impact of deep-sea mining, adn sharing the benefits of biodiversity found in international waters.
“This is a onc-in-a-generation opportunity to protect the oceans,” said Liz Karan,a senior scientist at the Pew Charitable Trusts,who has been involved in the negotiations as they began. “the high seas are essential for regulating the climate, providing food security, and supporting countless species.”
currently, the high seas are largely a free-for-all, with limited regulation. This has led to overfishing, pollution, and habitat destruction. The treaty aims to change that by requiring countries to work together to manage these shared resources sustainably.
Key provisions of the treaty include:
* Marine Protected Areas: The treaty will allow for the creation of large-scale marine protected areas in the high seas, safeguarding biodiversity and allowing fish stocks to recover.
* Environmental Impact Assessments: Before any deep-sea mining or other potentially harmful activities can take place,thorough environmental impact assessments will be required.
* Benefit Sharing: The treaty establishes a framework for sharing the benefits derived from marine genetic resources,such as those used in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.
However, the treaty is not yet a done deal. It must be ratified by at least 60 countries before it can come into force. And even after ratification,challenges remain.
One major hurdle is funding. Developing countries will need financial assistance to participate in the treaty’s implementation, including conducting environmental assessments and establishing marine protected areas.
Another challenge is enforcement. The high seas are vast and remote,making it difficult to monitor and enforce regulations. International cooperation will be essential to ensure that the treaty is effective.
Despite these challenges,many are optimistic that the High Seas treaty represents a turning point for ocean conservation.
“This treaty is a testament to the power of international cooperation,” said Nilusha Rajapakse, a senior ocean legal expert at the International Union for Conservation of Nature. “It shows that countries can come together to address shared challenges and protect our planet’s precious resources.”
The treaty is now open for signature, and countries are expected to begin the ratification process in the coming months. The future of the high seas – and the health of the planet – may depend on their success.
Pope Leo XIV Urges Turkey to foster Stability and Dialog amid Global Conflicts
ANKARA, Turkey – Pope Leo XIV encouraged Turkey to be a source of stability and dialogue in a world riven by conflict, as he opened his first foreign trip as pope on Thursday with a plea for peace amid efforts to end wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
The american pope emphasized a message of peace as he arrived in Ankara, welcomed on the tarmac by a military guard of honor and at the presidential palace by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Speaking to Erdogan and the country’s diplomatic corps at a library in the palace complex, Leo praised Turkey’s historic role as a bridge between East and West, at the crossroads of religions and cultures.
“May Turkey be a source of stability and rapprochement between peoples, in service of a just and lasting peace,” he said, speaking in front of a giant globe. “Today, more than ever, we need people who will promote dialogue and practice it with firm will and patient resolve.”
leo’s visit comes as Turkey,a country of more than 85 million people,predominantly Sunni Muslims,has positioned itself as a key intermediary in efforts to end the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
Ankara has hosted talks with both Russia and Ukraine and offered to participate in a stabilization force in Gaza to help oversee a fragile ceasefire. Israel, which has had a strained relationship with Turkey for years, accuses Ankara of supporting Hamas and has rejected any role for Turkish troops in a stabilization force.
Leo didn’t specifically mention the conflicts, but he quoted his predecessor, Pope Francis, lamenting that the wars around the world today amount to a “third world war fought piecemeal,” with resources spent on weapons rather of addressing hunger, poverty, and environmental protection.
After two world wars, “we are now experiencing a phase marked by a heightened level of conflict globally,” he said. “We must not succumb to this! The future of humanity is at stake.”
In his address, Erdogan stated that the Palestinian issue is central to achieving peace in the region and praised what he described as the Vatican’s “steadfast stance” on it.
Erdogan said immediate steps must be taken to strengthen the ceasefire in Gaza, protect civilians, and ensure the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid.
A word about valuing women
This speech was closely watched, as the first address of any papal trip sets the tone for the visit. This is especially true for the first trip abroad for the first American pope, who will be delivering all his remarks in Turkey in English – a departure from the Vatican’s Italian tradition. It was therefore important that Leo also commented on the plight of women in Turkey.
“Women,in particular,through their studies and active participation in professional,cultural and political life,are increasingly contributing to yoru community and its positive influence on the international stage,” Leo said.
“We must greatly value initiatives that support the family and the contribution that women make toward the full flourishing of social life.”
Women’s rights activists continue to denounce Erdogan’s 2021 withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention, an international treaty designed to combat violence against women.