UN High Seas Treaty, ratified by 60 countries, to take effect in 2026

A major milestone in global ocean protection was reached on September 19, 2025, when Morocco became the 60th nation to ratify the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Treaty, triggering its entry into force next year.

The High Seas Treaty, negotiated under the framework of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), is the first international legal framework dedicated to protecting biodiversity in international waters — areas that lie beyond the jurisdiction of any single country. These waters cover nearly two-thirds of the ocean and almost half of Earth’s surface, but face mounting threats from overfishing, climate change, and deep-sea mining.

While the treaty’s adoption marks a breakthrough, its strength will depend on broader participation. Some of the world’s largest powers — including the U.S., China, Russia, and Japan — have yet to ratify. The U.S. and China have signed, signaling intent without legal commitment, while Japan and Russia remain active in preparatory talks.

Ratification by 60 nations activates a 120-day countdown to the treaty’s enforcement. However, key challenges remain in defining implementation, financing, and enforcement mechanisms.

The treaty is central to advancing the global “30×30” conservation target, which seeks to protect 30% of the planet’s land and seas by 2030. It also establishes a legal framework for designating marine protected areas in the high seas and regulating potentially harmful activities such as deep-sea mining and geoengineering experiments.

So far, 143 countries, including India, have signed the treaty, reflecting a broad international commitment to safeguarding the oceans that regulate Earth’s climate, absorb carbon dioxide, and generate half of the planet’s oxygen.