The High Seas Protection Treaty has been ratified by 50 countries, according to Agnès Pannier-Runacher, the Minister of Ecological Transition, the Sea and Biodiversity, speaking on Tuesday. she described it as “a massive success of French diplomacy,” even though the United States has not signed it.

The United Nations Summit on the Ocean (UNOC) is currently underway in Nice. The High Sea Protection Treaty, which is hoped to be in force by the end of the year, will provide tools for the conservation and sustainable management of marine biodiversity in the vast areas of the oceans beyond national jurisdiction.“This morning, [il y a] 50 ratifications ” by the States, noted Agnès Pannier-runacher. “We have made a quantum leap and above all, we certainly know that we will be able to secure the implementation of this treaty by the end of the year,” she pledged, adding that “It is indeed a massive success of French diplomacy, of the President of the Republic.”

Though, the treaty will not be ratified by the end of the UNOC summit, as “Countries like Great Britain, Germany obviously tell us, we will ratify it. But given the agenda of our Parliament, we will not be able to do it by June 13,” explained Agnès Pannier-Runacher, who trusts thier promise to do so “In the coming weeks.” “We will carry this vision. We have already planned funding to support the implementation of this treaty,” the minister continued.

US Absence and Seabed Mining Concerns

It’s dramatic to exploit the seabed, with the risk of upsetting ecosystems.

The absence of the United States, under President Donald Trump, remains a concern. “It’s dramatic to exploit the seabed,” Agnès Pannier-Runacher stated. “It is indeed a mining in high seabed, with the risk of upsetting ecosystems.” The High Sea Treaty “Allows the implementation of marine areas protected with checks and boats to impose these controls,” she saeid.

Internationally, Agnès Pannier-Runacher claims to exert “Pressure very concretely on Switzerland which is involved in the company which today wants to impose us the mining extraction. I put pressure on the government of Canada, I try to train a coalition behind me”. The President of the Republic also comes from “Signing a forum with 27 heads of state. So that’s diplomacy is fighting the law of the strongest,” the minister believes. And according to her, “fighting against the law of the strongest is to refuse that a state decides against all other states and puts life on earth and biodiversity in danger. It is really a great diplomatic issue and we are going to be maneuver.”