Ocean ecosystems keep our planet in balance by producing nearly half of the earth's oxygen and absorbing much of its carbon dioxide - but they are under threat from pollution, exploitation and global warming.
After 15 years of disagreement, failures and stalled formal and informal talks, there is finally a UN high seas treaty that will help to protect vast swathes of the planet's oceans.
"The ship has reached the shore," UN conference president Rena Lee announced after a marathon final day of talks between negotiators from more than 100 countries. Delegates worked through Friday night and into Saturday, arguing over sensitive political issues like how to share newly discovered resources between developed and developing nations.
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