US EditionUN biodiversity treaty enters into force, aims to protect 30% of oceans by 2030
- The world’s first high-seas biodiversity treaty, the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement, enters into force on 17 January 2026 after Morocco became the 60th ratifier, creating a global framework for marine conservation.
- Pressure from fishing, mining and bioprospecting made rapid expansion of commercial fishing fleets and bioprospecting firms create governance gaps the treaty aims to close in areas beyond national jurisdiction, where less than 1.5% is protected.
- Built on four pillars, the treaty creates a marine protected areas process, requires environmental impact assessments and a clearing-house system, and sets a framework for marine genetic resources benefit-sharing plus capacity building for developing states.
- A preparatory commission will finalize rules, funding, and procedures ahead of the first Conference of Parties, with countries likely waiting until early 2027 to establish MPAs.
- Political leaders and conservation groups warn that enforcement will be difficult since regional fisheries management organisations and the International Seabed Authority retain authority, and key member states such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia have not ratified.
75 Articles
75 Articles
After 15 years of negotiations, the UN Convention for the Protection of Biodiversity on the High Seas entered into force. It enables the creation of a global network of marine protected areas in the hitherto largely unregulated international waters.
After almost two decades of negotiations, the Treaty of the High Seas came into force. This is the first time in history that the international community has a legally binding framework that seeks to protect the oceans. This United Nations treaty (UN) seeks to regulate and protect waters outside national jurisdictions, that is, almost two thirds of the ocean. So far, a “freedom regime” with very little regulation on extractive activities operate…
The most important environmental legal document since the Paris Agreement has come into force. Its entry into force was celebrated in 13 countries by artists and activists, including Danijel Gamboc Gregorič, who painted a 45-meter-long graffiti on the Piran coast.
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By Annika Hammerschlag. The world’s first legally binding agreement to protect marine life in international waters entered into force on Saturday, a landmark moment for ocean conservation after nearly two decades of negotiations. The High Seas Treaty will regulate almost half the Earth’s surface: the vast ocean areas beyond the control of any single country. These waters face increasing threats from destructive fishing practices, shipping, plast…
The agreement, which was adopted in June 2023 and has since been ratified by 83 countries, is intended, inter alia, to create marine protected areas in international waters.
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