The High Seas Treaty, formally known as the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction, officially entered into force on January 17, 2026, marking a watershed moment for global ocean conservation. This landmark international agreement establishes for the first time a legally binding framework to protect marine life in waters beyond any nation's jurisdiction, covering roughly 60 percent of the world's oceans and more than 40 percent of the planet's surface.
The treaty reached its activation threshold when Morocco became the 60th country to ratify the agreement in September 2025. Since then, the number of parties has grown to 81, including the European Union and 16 of its member states, with 145 countries having signed the accord. The agreement represents the culmination of nearly two decades of negotiations under the United Nations framework.
Under the new legal framework, nations can now establish marine protected areas in international waters for the first time in history. The treaty also introduces mandatory environmental impact assessments for activities on the high seas, creates mechanisms for sharing benefits from marine genetic resources, and provides capacity-building support for developing nations. These provisions address what scientists have long identified as a critical gap in ocean governance.
The high seas represent the largest habitat on Earth, encompassing 95 percent of the ocean's volume. These waters contain deep trenches, seamount chains, and midwater ecosystems that regulate nutrient cycles and store vast amounts of carbon. Despite their ecological importance, less than 1.5 percent of this vast area currently has any formal protection status.
Environmental organizations have hailed the treaty as transformative. In November 2025, the High Seas Treaty received the prestigious Earthshot Prize in the 'Revive our Oceans' category, recognizing decades of advocacy efforts. The IUCN Director General emphasized that this agreement provides the tools needed to address the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
A preparatory commission is now working to establish the operational rules needed for the first conference of parties, scheduled for later in 2026. Key issues including funding mechanisms, institutional staffing, and procedures for proposing protected areas remain to be finalized during meetings planned for March and April. Scientists and conservationists stress that swift implementation is essential to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems before further degradation occurs.
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