Monday, June 15th 2026 - 21:35 UTC
Known as the “Pearl of the Pacific,” Valparaíso lies 110 kilometers northwest of Santiago and was the most important commercial port in the South Pacific during the 19th century
Chile's government on Monday reaffirmed its commitment to Valparaíso's candidacy to host the Executive Secretariat of the High Seas Treaty, a key instrument of ocean governance, and held that the port city has “relevant strengths” to secure it. The Foreign Ministry said the bid responds to the importance that Chilean foreign policy places on protecting the ocean and to the country's “maritime vocation.”
“For us this is a state policy. For the government of Chile it is of high interest to achieve this recognition, and we will carry out all the efforts to obtain the necessary support,” said Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez Mackenna. Valparaíso is competing with Belgium and China for the seat. The campaign will run until December, and the decision will be taken by the First Conference of the Parties (COP1), in January 2027.
The candidacy had been launched by the government of left-wing leader Gabriel Boric, which presented it to the United Nations in November 2025, and is now ratified by the current administration, making it a sustained state policy despite the change in political orientation. The bid also has the backing of senators from various sectors and of Valparaíso's regional governor.
