Nearly 70 countries at the United Nations on Wednesday signed a first-ever treaty on protecting the international high seas, raising hopes that it will come into force soon and protect threatened ecosystems vital to the planet.
![Nearly 70 countries sign historic UN treaty to protect high seas](https://s.france24.com/media/display/862958f4-25d5-11ed-9385-005056a97e36/w:1024/p:16x9/000_9UD9VG.jpg)
Nearly 70 countries at the United Nations on Wednesday signed a first-ever treaty on protecting the international high seas, raising hopes that it will come into force soon and protect threatened ecosystems vital to the planet.