Olusegun Ariyo
The high seas will soon have their own Conference of the Parties (COP) as a new body tasked with implementing ocean-related agreements is set to enter into force in early 2026, after a legally required 120-day period.
Indeed, a landmark UN treaty to safeguard marine biodiversity on the high seas has now met the required 60 ratifications for entry into force, clearing the way for it to take effect in January 2026.
Aquatic bushmeat: The West African manatee. Manatees are large, fully aquatic, mostly herbivorous marine mammals sometimes known as sea cows.
On Friday, September 19, 2025, the United Nations received the final two state ratifications needed for the agreement, known as the High Seas Treaty, to take effect, as it required formal acceptance by 60 countries. Morocco and Sierra Leone were the latest to join, becoming the 60th and 61st parties to the pact.
This comes as the end of a lengthy process: The agreement was finalised in 2023, after it had been negotiated over the course of two decades. Its quick entry into force, despite a turbulent international context, particularly due to the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accords, represents a victory for environmental multilateralism and a success for President Emmanuel Macron.
French diplomatic efforts contributed to accelerating the pace of ratifications, though the president had hoped the 60-ratification threshold would be met as early as June.
The 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), was adopted by UN Member States in June 2023 after Nearly Two Decades of Negotiations
Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the development, calling it a “historic achievement for the ocean and for multilateralism.”
“In two years, States have turned commitment into action – proving what is possible when nations unite for the common good,” he said in a Statement
“As we confront the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, this agreement is a lifeline for the ocean and humanity.”
The pact – also called the “high seas treaty” – covers two-thirds of the world’s ocean area that lies beyond national boundaries.
It establishes legally binding rules to conserve and sustainably use marine biodiversity, share benefits from marine genetic resources more fairly, create protected areas, and strengthen scientific cooperation and capacity building.
Foundation of our existence
UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director, Inger Andersen, also hailed the milestone.
“Our ocean is the foundation of our very existence. Today we took an important step forward to save our ocean, and to save our future,” she said in a Post on social media.
Safeguarding humanity’s future
The BBNJ agreement builds on the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, regarded as the “constitution for the oceans.”
Once the High Seas Treaty enters into force on January 17, 2026, it will provide a global framework to help achieve international biodiversity targets, including the pledge to protect 30 per cent of land and sea areas by 2030 under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Mr. Guterres urged all remaining UN Member States to join the treaty without delay and called on partners to support its swift and full implementation.
“The ocean’s health is humanity’s health,” he said.
In a reaction, Nina Mikander, Global Director of Policy and Business at BirdLife International, said: “Today marks a historic achievement for the ocean – with 60 ratifications, the High Seas Treaty will now come into force. This demonstrates global commitment for the protection of this shared ecosystem, which is so vital for our existence. The real work starts now.
“At BirdLife International, we stand ready to provide the science, tools and local-to-global action needed to build and implement a strong and effective High Seas Treaty. We call on governments and all stakeholders to join us in turning this promise into lasting protection for birds, the ocean and all life it sustains.”
Chris Thorne, Greenpeace UK senior oceans campaigner, said: “This is a bold testament to what humanity can accomplish when we come together to protect the planet we all share. But while nations around the world celebrate this environmental breakthrough, the UK is chasing the leading group of ratifying countries. The ocean is in urgent peril – along with its rich wildlife and the coastal communities that depend on it.
“It is more vital than ever that the UK signs the Treaty into law by the end of the year and doesn’t risk missing the first Ocean COP. The government can then show global leadership by putting forward ambitious proposals to fully protect huge areas of the ocean, such as 30% of the Atlantic, including the Sargasso Sea.”
Mads Christensen, Executive Director, Greenpeace International, said: “This is a landmark moment for protecting the ocean, and proof that countries can come together to protect our blue planet. The era of exploitation and destruction must end, and the Global Ocean Treaty is the tool to make that happen. But we must not get complacent.
“Scientists are clear that we need to protect at least 30% of our ocean by 2030, and time is running out. Governments around the world must use this time now to ensure the first historic Ocean COP becomes a turning point and start to develop plans for the first-ever sanctuaries under the Treaty. Our ocean can’t wait, and neither can we.”
