"U.N. member states met this month in New York to hash out a treaty governing the sustainable management of the high seas, resource-rich international waters that span about two-thirds of the ocean.

Hopes were high that after 10 years of discussion and three previous negotiating sessions, delegates to the meeting would finalize a legally binding treaty.

Talks ended March 18 with no deal, amid a failure to reach consensus on several key points, including how to establish marine protected areas on the high seas.

A movement to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030 depends on the swift completion of a high seas treaty, and observers say a deal remains within reach by the end of the year."

Elizabeth Fitt reports for Mongabay March 21, 2022. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"UN Ocean Treaty Summit Collapses As States Accused Of Dragging Out Talks" (Guardian) [3]