The One Ocean Summit kicks off Wednesday. The fifth edition of this international environmental summit is taking place in Brest, France, February 9 -11. One of the crucial issues at stake will be the negotiations on the protection of the high seas. But what exactly do we mean by this term?
A sort of "mini COP" of the ocean, the 2022 edition of the One Ocean Summit (launched in 2017 by French President Emmanuel Macron) will be dedicated to the protection and survival of oceans and marine species. This environmental summit will bring together scientists, activists and NGOs around round tables and workshops.
The third and final day will be devoted to negotiations between some 20 heads of state and shipping company executives. The ultimate goal is to make concrete commitments to save the oceans.
Among the key issues discussed are overfishing and plastic pollution as well as governance for the high seas. A term that is a bit opaque for the general public, but which will be a crucial issue of this summit. The term "high seas" refers to the waters of the planet that do not belong to any nation, which falls under BBNJ or Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction.
Also known as "international waters," this legal term from maritime law was established by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea signed in 1982. The high seas alone represent more than 60% of the world's seas and oceans.
Given the threat to the oceans, it is urgent to reach new agreements signed between the countries concerned. To date, only the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea protects these specific areas of the blue planet.
Negotiations on the high seas at the One Ocean Summit will focus on crucial issues such as fishing, shipping and mineral exploration. They will be forwarded by the European Commission to the United Nations, which plans to draw up a new international treaty by March 2022.
