On January 17, 2026, the High Seas Convention officially entered into force, ushering in a new era for the protection and sustainable use of the world’s oceans.
The Convention, officially called the Convention on Biological Diversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), has been hailed as one of the most important achievements in international ocean policy in recent decades.
The High Seas Treaty covers areas beyond national jurisdiction and establishes common rules for nearly half of the Earth’s surface and an estimated 95% of its ocean volume.
Long governed by fragmented regulations, these vast oceans are home to the largest ecosystems on Earth and play a critical role in climate stability, food security, and global biodiversity.
What will change under the High Seas Treaty?
For the first time, the High Seas Convention provides a comprehensive legal framework to govern human activities on the high seas.
The agreement allows for the creation of marine protected areas on the high seas, allowing governments to protect ecologically sensitive areas far from a country’s coastline.
It also introduces rules to access and share the benefits of marine genetic resources, which are increasingly sought after in the fields of medicine, cosmetics and biotechnology.
Environmental impact assessments have become a core requirement for planned activities on the high seas, helping to identify and mitigate harm before it occurs.
Additionally, the Convention is committed to equity and capacity-building initiatives and ocean technology transfers that support developing countries’ full participation in ocean governance.
To date, the agreement has been ratified by 81 Parties, including the European Union and 16 of its Member States, and signed by 145 countries, underscoring broad international support.
European Union leadership is central
The EU has played a decisive role in shaping and promoting the High Seas Treaty. European diplomats worked tirelessly through long negotiations, which ended in 2023 and were widely seen as a rare success in multilateral cooperation.
The agreement passed the important threshold of 60 ratifications on September 19, 2025, triggering its entry into force 120 days later.
The EU continues to champion ambitious implementation as co-chair of the High Ambition Coalition on BBNJ, a group of 46 countries advocating for strong ocean protection.
Preparations are already underway for the first Conference of the Parties, which is expected to take place within a year of the treaty becoming legally binding. This conference will be important in translating the principles of the Agreement into practical measures.
Beyond diplomacy, the EU has committed financial and technical support to ensure that the High Seas Treaty has real-world impact.
Through its €40 million Global Oceans Program, 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.
The first €10 million package of on-demand technical assistance is already operational and targeted at the immediate needs of partner countries.
Why ocean conservation is more important than ever
The importance of marine protection is at the heart of the High Seas Treaty.
Areas beyond national jurisdiction provide irreplaceable ecological services, from regulating the global climate to maintaining fisheries on which millions of people depend. They also have cultural, scientific and economic value that extends far beyond national borders.
However, these waters face increasing threats. Pollution, unsustainable fishing, the prospect of deep-sea mining, and climate change are putting unprecedented pressure on marine ecosystems.
Without coordinated management, damage in one area can ripple throughout the marine system. By promoting cooperation and shared responsibility, the High Seas Treaty recognizes that the protection of the oceans is inseparable from the protection of human well-being and future prosperity.
A framework for a more coherent ocean future
Another critical strength of the High Seas Treaty is its potential to bring coherence to a crowded governance landscape. Many international organizations oversee shipping, fisheries, seabed resources, and environmental protection, but coordination is often limited.
The new agreement aims to strengthen collaboration between these parties and encourage a more holistic approach to managing activities on the high seas.
Expectations are high for the treaty to come into force. Although challenges remain in translating legal commitments into effective action, the High Seas Treaty is a historic step toward protecting Earth’s largest shared ecosystem for generations to come.
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