On 17 January 2026, the High Seas Treaty officially entered into force, ushering in a new era for the protection and sustainable use of the world’s oceans.
Formally titled the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), the treaty is being hailed as one of the most significant achievements in international ocean policy in decades.
Covering areas beyond national jurisdiction, the High Seas Treaty establishes common rules for nearly half of the planet’s surface and an estimated 95% of ocean volume.
These vast waters, long governed by fragmented regulations, are home to the largest ecosystem on Earth and play a vital role in climate stability, food security and global biodiversity.
What the High Seas Treaty will change
For the first time, the High Seas Treaty provides a comprehensive legal framework to manage human activity in international waters.
The agreement allows for the creation of marine protected areas on the high seas, enabling governments to safeguard ecologically sensitive regions far from national coastlines.
It also introduces rules for accessing and sharing benefits from marine genetic resources, which are increasingly sought for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and biotechnology.
Environmental impact assessments will become a central requirement for activities planned in international waters, helping to identify and mitigate harm before it occurs.
In addition, the treaty places a strong emphasis on equity, committing to capacity-building initiatives and marine technology transfers that support developing countries in participating fully in ocean governance.
To date, the agreement has been ratified by 81 parties, including the European Union and 16 of its Member States, while 145 countries have signed on, underscoring its broad international backing.
European Union leadership at the core
The EU has played a decisive role in shaping and advancing the High Seas Treaty. European diplomats were instrumental throughout the lengthy negotiations, which concluded in 2023 and were widely regarded as a rare success for multilateral cooperation.
The agreement crossed the crucial threshold of 60 ratifications on 19 September 2025, triggering its entry into force 120 days later.
As co-chair of the High Ambition Coalition on BBNJ, a group of 46 countries advocating strong ocean protection, the EU continues to champion ambitious implementation.
Preparations are already underway for the first Conference of the Parties, expected to take place within a year of the treaty becoming legally binding. This meeting will be critical in translating the agreement’s principles into practical measures.
Beyond diplomacy, the EU has committed financial and technical support to ensure the High Seas Treaty delivers real-world impact.
Through its €40m Global Ocean Programme, launched at the third UN Ocean Conference in June 2025, the EU aims to help countries build the expertise and infrastructure needed to implement the agreement.
An initial €10m package of on-demand technical assistance is already operational, targeting immediate needs in partner countries.
Why ocean conservation matters more than ever
The importance of ocean conservation lies at the heart of the High Seas Treaty.
Areas beyond national jurisdiction provide irreplaceable ecological services, from regulating the global climate to sustaining fisheries that millions of people depend on. They also hold cultural, scientific and economic value that extends far beyond national borders.
Yet these waters face growing threats. Pollution, unsustainable fishing, deep-sea mining prospects and climate-driven changes are placing unprecedented pressure on marine ecosystems.
Without coordinated management, damage in one region can ripple across the entire ocean system. By promoting cooperation and shared responsibility, the High Seas Treaty recognises that protecting the ocean is inseparable from protecting human well-being and future prosperity.
A framework for a more coherent ocean future
Another defining strength of the High Seas Treaty is its potential to bring coherence to a crowded governance landscape. Numerous international bodies oversee shipping, fisheries, seabed resources and environmental protection, often with limited coordination.
The new agreement is designed to foster greater alignment among these actors, encouraging a more holistic approach to managing activities in international waters.
As the treaty enters into force, expectations are high. While challenges remain in translating legal commitments into effective action, the High Seas Treaty represents a historic step towards safeguarding the planet’s largest shared ecosystem for generations to come.
