The global ocean, the largest single ecosystem in the world, is in continuous decline due to increasing human pressures. New challenges, such as ocean warming and deoxygenation, ocean acidification, plastic pollution, and unsustainable use of marine resources, have no borders and boundaries. However, the recently adopted 2023 BBNJ Agreement does not recognise the high seas decline as a common concern of humankind - a legal notion/concept and treaty-based principle for internationally shared problems such as biodiversity loss and climate change. This article attempts to define the common concern of humankind by examining its legal basis, enshrinement and effect, as it still lacks a generally accepted legal definition. This article aims to propose why the high seas decline should be recognised as a common concern of humankind and to explore the underlying legal and regulatory implications of this notion for the conservation of the high seas. It is suggested that the common concern of humankind, which highlights the shared obligations and responsibilities with respect to common problems facing humankind, has both theoretical and operational significance in promoting international cooperation to address current and future ocean governance challenges.

中文翻译：

---

对 BBNJ 协议的批判性评价，不承认公海面积下降是人类共同关心的问题

全球海洋是世界上最大的单一生态系统，由于人类压力的增加而不断减少。海洋变暖和脱氧、海洋酸化、塑料污染以及海洋资源的不可持续利用等新挑战是没有国界和界限的。然而，最近通过的2023年BBNJ协议并未承认公海面积下降是人类共同关心的问题——针对生物多样性丧失和气候变化等国际共同问题的法律概念/概念和基于条约的原则。本文试图通过考察其法律依据、体现和效果来界定人类共同关心的问题，因为它仍然缺乏普遍接受的法律定义。本文旨在提出为什么公海面积下降应被视为人类的共同关注点，并探讨这一概念对公海保护的潜在法律和监管影响。提出“人类共同关切”，凸显对人类面临的共同问题的共同义务和责任，对于推动国际合作应对当前和未来海洋治理挑战具有理论和实践意义。