A TREATY to protect biodiversity in the world’s oceans has been moved closer to ratification, and the International Maritime Organization and the International Chamber of Shipping have come out in support of the treaty.

UN member countries have finalised the text for the High Seas Treaty, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres the members for moving to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

“This action is a victory for multilateralism and for global efforts to counter the destructive trends facing ocean health, now and for generations to come,” he said.

IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim said the landmark treaty would reinforce efforts to protect biodiversity.

“Following almost two decades of discussions and negotiations, I am pleased to see the conclusion of the new legally binding instrument on marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, which was finalised in New York on Saturday 4 March,” Mr Lim said.

“This landmark achievement will no doubt reinforce efforts to protect biodiversity in line with the aims of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Kunming-Montreal Global Framework for Biodiversity. IMO has participated throughout the negotiations given the organisation’s mandate and expertise and will continue to participate, in the implementation of the new instrument. IMO looks forward to further strengthening our cooperation with Member States, the UN family and all other stakeholders.”

IMO said it had been present throughout the negotiations and has actively cooperated with the UN, in particular with Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS) of the Office of Legal Affairs of the United Nations; the International Seabed Authority (ISA) and with other specialized agencies like The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC) IOC of UNESCO and the International Labour Organization (ILO).

Meanwhile the ICS noted that while nearly 200 states took part in the discussion there is still some work to do before the text is officially adopted. However, the ICS said the agreement on substance marks the culmination of nearly two decades of work.

ICS has been an active part of the discussions since 2016, ensuring that the international shipping community is engaged, its unique nature taken into account, and that governments understand the IMO’s role as shipping’s global regulator. For international shipping, the matters which the convention is designed to address are within the remit of the IMO.

ICS secretary general Guy Platten said, “This outcome is the result of hard work over a number of years by a unique group of stakeholders all with the aim of creating a treaty to protect the high seas. I thank everyone for their dedication”.