Key facts
- China accused Chile and Belgium of politicizing the bidding process and dividing members into opposing camps.
- Chile and Belgium announced their joint bid on Friday, after separate competing proposals.
- The secretariat is the administrative headquarters of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction agreement.
China on November 12 criticized a combined bid by Chile and Belgium to host the secretariat of the High Seas Treaty, accusing the countries of politicizing the bidding process and dividing members into opposing camps.
The three countries had previously submitted competing proposals to host the secretariat, the administrative headquarters of the treaty, also known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) agreement, until Chile and Belgium announced their joint bid on Friday.