WASHINGTON, United States, Jan 17, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - China on Friday proposed to host the secretariat of a new treaty governing the high seas, a surprise bid that underscores Beijing's desire to have greater influence over global environmental governance. China "has decided to present its candidature of the city of Xiamen to host the Secretariat" of the treaty, the Chinese mission to the United Nations wrote in a letter to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, according to a copy seen by AFP. The treaty will officially enter into force on Saturday, and the host country of the eventual secretariat will be decided later this year. They include the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the parent treaty underpinning all major international climate agreements, ratified by almost every country in the world. After years of delays, the treaty to protect the high seas was ratified in September by 60 countries.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha January 17, 2026 09:16 UTC