It was fun to zoom in on the new UN High Sea Treaty and its significance in times of Trump and geopolitics in my first TV interview with ZDF and 3sat.

Support for multilateralism by many and diverse states

• The agreement was swiftly ratified by >80 states, incl. Western powers like the EU and rising economies in the Global South like Brazil, Mexico, China, and Indonesia.

• This constitutes a strong signal for multilateralism – despite the US disengaged under Trump.

US important but not indispensable

• The US could have greatly contributed to the success of the agreement – from monitoring to its fishing industry and its deep sea mining ambitions. 

• But many other relevant players are on board, e.g. China, Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia

Progress in global governance of the high sea

• Majority voting, incl. about maritime protected areas (MPAs), allows to overcome resistance by affected states.

• The agreement is also an important step towards coordinating fragmented regional fisheries and environmental institutions.

Germany should step up its leadership

• Germany was a key actor pushing for a strong agreement, but has so far not ratified it.

• The government should lead by example to attract more participants and ensure proper implementation over the next years.