Briefly

UNITED NATIONS

First treaty for marine life in high seas adopted

The UN has adopted the world's first treaty to protect the high seas and preserve marine biodiversity in international waters, marking a milestone after nearly 20 years of effort, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced on Monday. The adoption followed an agreement reached in March by more than 100 countries on the text of the High Seas Treaty, also known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction treaty, after more than 15 years of discussions and five rounds of UN-led negotiations. In approving the text, member states have "pumped new life and hope to give the ocean a fighting chance", Guterres said in a statement. The agreement will be open for signature in New York for two years starting Sept 20, the day following a summit on the UN sustainable development goals. It will take effect after 60 countries ratify the agreement, according to the UN.