For the first time, United Nations members have agreed on a unified treaty to protect biodiversity, on the high seas, concluding two weeks of talks in New York.
The high seas encompass nearly two-thirds of the ocean and almost half the planet's surface. Marine experts have described the agreement, as "historic".
An updated framework to protect marine life, in the regions outside national boundary waters, known as the high seas, had been in discussions for more than 20 years, but previous efforts to reach an agreement had repeatedly stalled.
The unified agreement treaty, which applies to nearly half the planet's surface was reached late on Saturday.
