A pivotal international agreement, the High Seas Treaty, is set to officially enter into force in early 2026, marking a significant advancement in the global effort to protect marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. This treaty, formally known as the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement), has garnered the ratification of 60 countries, including Morocco, triggering its implementation. The treaty will become legally effective 120 days after the 60th ratification, which occurred on September 19, 2025, placing its entry into force in January 2026.
The High Seas Treaty represents a monumental step in ocean governance, aiming to address critical gaps in the protection of marine life across vast expanses of the ocean that lie outside any single nation's control. These areas, often referred to as the high seas, constitute approximately two-thirds of the world's oceans and are vital for the planet's overall health, regulating climate and supporting immense biodiversity. The treaty's provisions are designed to combat threats such as overfishing, pollution, and the impacts of climate change and deep-sea mining. It empowers nations to establish marine protected areas (MPAs) in international waters, conduct necessary environmental impact assessments for proposed activities, and foster scientific cooperation.
Furthermore, the treaty includes mechanisms for the equitable sharing of benefits derived from marine genetic resources, along with provisions for capacity building and technology transfer to developing nations, ensuring their active participation in ocean stewardship. The journey to this point has been extensive, with the treaty being the culmination of nearly two decades of negotiations and advocacy from scientists and conservationists. It was adopted in June 2023 and opened for signature in September 2023.
While the treaty's broad ratification is a cause for celebration, experts and advocates highlight the importance of full commitment from all major maritime nations. Concerns have been raised regarding the participation levels of key global players, as their full engagement is crucial for the treaty's ultimate effectiveness. Johan Bergenas of the World Wildlife Fund stated that the high seas have historically been a largely unmanaged and unenforced domain, underscoring the urgent need for a robust legal structure. The treaty builds upon historical efforts in international ocean governance, complementing existing conventions and enabling the achievement of global conservation goals, such as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework's target to protect 30% of the planet's land and ocean by 2030.
Looking ahead, the first Conference of the Parties (COP) to the treaty is expected to convene within a year of its entry into force, likely in late 2026. Preparatory work is underway to establish the necessary institutions and processes to ensure the treaty's ambitious objectives are met and its long-term effectiveness is secured. The success of the High Seas Treaty hinges on continued global cooperation and the swift translation of its provisions into tangible actions for ocean conservation.