The High Seas Treaty – a landmark international treaty to protect marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. Passed by the United Nations and set to enter into force on January 17, 2026, it ambitiously establishes a legal framework for governing the vast “high seas” allowing for the creation of marine protected areas, conducting environmental impact assessments, and ensuring the fair sharing of benefits from genetic resources.

What’s next? And will it make a difference?

Richard F. Delaney is the former President of the Center for Coastal Studies and now leads efforts to build its long-term endowment. He previously founded the Urban Harbors Institute at UMass Boston and served in major coastal management roles for Massachusetts and the Coastal States Organization. Delaney has advised governments in more than 20 countries and has been active in global ocean and climate initiatives, including the Earth Summit and multiple UN climate conferences. His work centers on climate resilience for coastal communities through organizations such as the Global Ocean Forum and the Cape Cod Climate Change Collaborative. He also chaired several regional environmental advisory councils and holds degrees from Harvard and SUNY.

Learn more at 10 a.m. on Sunday, November 23, 2025. All are welcome.

• At the Chapel in the Pines in Eastham.  Doors open at 9:30.
• Also on Zoom via this Zoom program link.