Press releaseBBNJ International Cooperation United Nations

Race to Ratify High Seas Treaty: 42 More Countries Needed to Protect Ocean Biodiversity

March 3, 2025

On 4 March 2023, after nearly two decades of discussions, the international community reached a landmark agreement to protect marine biodiversity in international waters through the High Seas Treaty (the UNCLOS BBNJ Agreement – see notes). This historic achievement set the foundation for preserving the Ocean’s rich biodiversity, but concrete action is needed now to bring the Treaty into force.

Two years after historic agreement, the Treaty is still far from entering into force.
18 out of required 60 states have already ratified the vital Ocean protection framework.
OceanCare urges swift action in time for the UN Ocean Conference in June 2025.

The Treaty represents a significant milestone in international ocean governance, addressing critical gaps in the conservation of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. However, the Treaty requires ratification by 60 states to enter into force. To date, 18 countries – including Spain and France, which are leading this effort amongst EU Member States – have completed this crucial step, which still leaves a significant gap.

Between 14-25 April 2025, country representatives will meet again at the UN Headquarters in New York for the first session of the Preparatory Commission (PrepCom) to lay crucial groundwork for the effective implementation of the Treaty once it enters into force.

Fabienne McLellan, Managing Director of OceanCare highlighted:

“The High Seas Treaty provides the necessary tangible tools to protect marine biodiversity in international waters, but they can only be used once it enters into force and is properly implemented. The Ocean cannot wait. Every day of delay leads to continued degradation of marine ecosystems, which are vital for the planet’s health.

“Given the alarming state of the Ocean, it is crucial that the High Seas Treaty is swiftly operationalised and implemented. To achieve this, it is essential that the Preparatory Commission adopts ambitious, conservation-driven decisions as the international community works towards the Treaty’s entry into force.

“With the UN Ocean Conference in Nice just three months away, we have a unique window of opportunity to demonstrate real commitment to ocean protection. We call on all governments to ratify the Treaty without delay.”

The High Seas Treaty plays an important part in achieving the goal of protecting 30% of the Ocean by 2030. It establishes a framework for creating marine protected areas in international waters and requires environmental impact assessments for activities that could affect marine biodiversity.

Swift ratification of the Treaty is one of six key demands in OceanCare’s Because Our Planet Is Blue campaign, which calls for specific action to protect and restore marine ecosystems. The campaign emphasises that effective ocean conservation requires both strong international frameworks as well as their swift and proactive implementation.

ENDS

Notes to editors

The High Seas Treaty (officially “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” or UNCLOS BBNJ Agreement) was finalised on 4 March 2023 after a process of nearly two decades. The high seas cover nearly two-thirds (64%) of the global Ocean – almost half the planet’s entire surface. Currently, less than 1% of these areas are fully protected. The Treaty provides the first cohesive and comprehensive, international and legally binding framework to protect high seas biodiversity, addressing major gaps in ocean governance.

On 24 April 2024, the General Assembly adopted resolution 78/272, in which it decided to establish a Preparatory Commission to prepare for the entry into force of the BBNJ Agreement and to prepare for the convening of the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Agreement.

A Framework for Protecting Marine Ecosystems

The Treaty establishes a comprehensive framework for protecting marine biodiversity through several key mechanisms: marine protected areas in international waters, environmental impact assessments for activities that could harm marine biodiversity, fair sharing of benefits from marine genetic resources, and capacity building and technology transfer for developing states. It also sets up mechanisms for further international cooperation and coordination.

The Race for Ratification

Following the formal adoption of the Treaty text by negotiating States at the UN on 19 June 2023, 60 ratifications are needed for it to enter into force. After the 60th ratification is deposited with the UN Secretary-General, a 120-day countdown begins before the Treaty becomes international law. The High Seas Alliance, of which OceanCare is an active member, aims for at least 60 ratifications by the UN Ocean Conference in June 2025 in Nice, France. The Treaty is essential for achieving the global goal of protecting 30% of the Ocean by 2030.

OceanCare’s Involvement

OceanCare has been actively involved in the High Seas Treaty process from the outset and has participated in all five Intergovernmental Conferences from 2018 to 2023. The organisation has consistently advocated for strong environmental impact assessment requirements and proper governance mechanisms. OceanCare’s expertise in addressing transboundary pollution, particularly underwater noise, has helped shape key provisions in the Treaty. The organisation and its partners in the High Seas Alliance coalition continue to work with governments and intergovernmental bodies to promote swift ratification and effective implementation of the Treaty.