UN session on high seas biodiversity ends without agreement

UN member states ended two weeks of negotiations Friday without a treaty to protect biodiversity in the high seas, an agreement that would have addressed growing environmental and economic challenges.

"Although we did make excellent progress we still do need a little bit more time to progress towards the finish line," said conference chair Rena Lee, adding that a plenary session had nonetheless approved resumption of the negotiations at a future unspecified date, reports AFP.