Overview

• Samoa declared 30 percent of its national waters protected through nine new marine parks, marking the first in-country achievement of the 30×30 conservation target.
• France and the United Kingdom pledged restrictions on bottom trawling within designated marine protected areas to curb seabed damage.
• Conference delegates endorsed a push for a moratorium on deep-sea mining ahead of the International Seabed Authority’s July meeting.
• Only 32 of the 60 ratifications required for the High Seas Treaty to enter into force have been secured, prompting efforts to fast-track remaining approvals.
• Small island states and Pacific leaders pressed for increased financial assistance to combat rising seas, marine pollution and overfishing.