Maldives becomes 5th nation to ratify UN High Seas Treaty

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) - The Maldives parliament on Monday approved the UN High Seas Treaty for the protection of oceans and became the fifth country to ratify after Chile, Palau, Belize, and Seychelles.

The country's Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer said in a statement that President Mohamed Muizzu "is committed to protecting and preserving the health and wealth of our Ocean."

The island nation has approved the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity.

"We will continue to lead in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity," the minister noted.

He also called on other countries "to join us in the #RaceForRatification so that the Agreement can come into force as soon as possible."

In January, Palau and Chile became the first two nations to formally approve and sanction the UN High Seas Treaty.

The UN's High Seas Treaty was agreed upon last year after nearly two decades of talks.

In total, 89 countries have signed it, but they must also ratify the treaty to take effect.

This treaty would be the first global law to require the protection and control of marine life in areas outside countries' borders.

Experts believe it will allow for the creation of marine protected areas and control harmful human actions in unregulated zones of the ocean.