New York, USA
In a truly landmark moment for global environmental governance, nations today ratified the world’s first treaty to protect marine biodiversity in international waters, heralding a new era of conservation for the planet’s oceans. A decades-long effort culminated with Morocco becoming the 60th nation to formally sign on, crossing the critical threshold needed for the historic agreement to enter into force. This monumental step is considered a significant breakthrough for the health of our planet, as it provides a long-awaited legal framework to safeguard the high seas, which cover nearly two-thirds of the Earth’s surface and are home to an untold array of marine life.
The treaty, officially known as the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), is a cornerstone of global efforts to combat climate change and biodiversity loss. Its ratification is a major victory for the millions of people who rely on healthy oceans for food, livelihoods, and oxygen. The agreement, which was adopted at the United Nations headquarters in New York two years ago, provides a suite of tools for international cooperation, including mechanisms for creating vast marine protected areas (MPAs), conducting mandatory environmental impact assessments for activities on the high seas, and ensuring the fair and equitable sharing of marine genetic resources.
The ratification process was a true race to the finish line, with a surge of countries depositing their instruments of ratification with the UN Secretary-General over the past few months. Morocco’s ratification on Friday was the final piece of the puzzle, triggering a 120-day countdown for the treaty to become legally binding for all its parties. According to the United Nations, this means the BBNJ Agreement will officially enter into force on January 17, 2026.
Environmental groups and scientists hailed the news as a game-changer. “This is a monumental achievement for ocean conservation,” said Kirsten Schuijt, Director General of WWF International. “The High Seas Treaty is a positive catalyst for collaboration across international waters and agreements and is a turning point for two-thirds of the world’s ocean that lie beyond national jurisdiction.” The High Seas Alliance, a coalition of non-governmental organizations, described the moment as a “tidal wave of hope,” emphasizing that the real work of implementation and enforcement begins now.
Prior to the treaty, the high seas were a lawless frontier, governed by a patchwork of international regulations that were often voluntary or difficult to enforce. Activities like fishing, shipping, and scientific research were largely left to individual countries, leading to a “tragedy of the commons” where no single nation was responsible for the ocean’s overall health. The new treaty changes that fundamentally, creating a framework for coordinated action and shared responsibility.
The agreement’s provisions are far-reaching. It will establish a new Conference of the Parties (COP) that will have the power to create and oversee marine protected areas in international waters. These protected zones will be critical for protecting vulnerable species and fragile ecosystems from the growing threats of overfishing, pollution, and climate change. Furthermore, the treaty requires countries to conduct environmental impact assessments before undertaking any new activities in the high seas, such as deep-sea mining, which has the potential to cause irreversible damage to the deep-sea floor.
Another key aspect of the BBNJ Agreement is the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from marine genetic resources. In recent years, companies have been exploring the high seas for unique marine organisms and their genetic codes, which could be used to develop new medicines, cosmetics, or industrial products. Under the new treaty, any financial or scientific benefits derived from these resources will be shared, creating a new funding mechanism to support marine conservation and capacity-building in developing countries. This provision is seen as a way to correct historical inequities and ensure that the wealth of the high seas benefits all of humanity, not just a few powerful nations or corporations.
While the treaty has been ratified by the necessary number of states, the true test lies in its implementation. Analysts point out that achieving the “30×30” target will require not just a treaty, but strong political will and financial investment from its parties. The first Conference of the Parties, which is expected to take place within a year of the treaty’s entry into force, will set the stage for how the agreement’s provisions are translated into meaningful action on the water. For now, however, the world can celebrate a landmark achievement that brings hope for the future of our planet’s most vital resource.
