{
  "id": 28553,
  "title": "Behind the race to host the high seas treaty",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/07/31/behind-the-race-to-host-the-high-seas-treaty",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-07-31T10:46:54.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dialogue Earth",
    "slug": "dialogue-earth",
    "url": "https://dialogue.earth/en/ocean/behind-the-race-to-host-the-high-seas-treaty/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In late March, China's deputy foreign minister Hua Chunying led a delegation to the UN headquarters in New York to advocate for China's bid to host the headquarters of the high seas treaty. This bid could create the first UN-affiliated office in China, marking a significant move in international environmental governance. The 20-year negotiation process for the treaty, known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) agreement, aims to protect the high seas' biodiversity. The treaty is gaining attention due to the presence of various industries, from distant-water fisheries to emerging sectors like genetic prospecting and seabed mining.\n\nIf the treaty enters into force and its inaugural conference of the parties (COP1) takes place in January, one of the first tasks will be deciding the location of the secretariat's headquarters. The competition for this honor includes China, Chile, and Brussels. Chile, with its port city of Valparaíso, has been the first to enter this race. Chile has led marine conservation efforts and set an example by protecting half of its territorial waters.\n\nHowever, Chile's current administration has suspended some environmental measures and is considering rolling back others, potentially affecting the high seas treaty's implementation. The location of the treaty secretariat is crucial as it will handle day-to-day administrative work, arranging meetings, preparing documents, and circulating information. The secretariat's power was demonstrated in the successful renegotiation of the Kyoto Protocol's operational rules after its collapse in 2000. The host state's influence over the secretariat staff could potentially impact the treaty's negotiations, but powerful countries like China can also exercise significant geopolitical and economic influence.\n\nFactors such as internet access, office facilities, visa arrangements, and access to scientific expertise are considered when selecting the location for the secretariat. As more countries bid for the position, the world will need to become more comfortable with hosting international bodies in regions with diverse political and legal systems.",
  "summary": "Chile, China and Belgium are competing to host the headquarters of a landmark global ocean treaty. But why do they care so much? The post Behind the race to host the high seas treaty appeared first on Dialogue Earth .",
  "key_points": [
    "20-year negotiation process for BBNJ agreement aims to protect high seas biodiversity.",
    "Competing countries for the treaty secretariat include China, Chile, and Brussels."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}