The High Seas Treaty opened to State signatures on 20 September 2023 at the United Nations in New York . By signing, countries express their willingness to proceed to ratifying the Treaty.
After the first two days of signing, the count quickly reached 75 signatures. This amazing momentum really sets the Treaty in good stead for swift ratification and entry into force, making us one step closer to realizing the protection that the ocean so badly needs.
As soon as 60 countries sign AND ratify, the Treaty will enter into force after 120 days and we can ramp up international action to protect our shared ocean, mitigate climate breakdown and safeguard the lives and livelihoods of billions of people worldwide.
We ask countries to sign the Treaty as soon as possible, and accelerate efforts nationally to fast track the ratification process.
Rebecca Hubbard, High Seas Alliance Director
Follow progress on the High Seas Treaty Ratification Tracker.
Pacific nations sign up to UN high seas treaty – ‘Ratifying and implementing’ next
— Pasifik Secure (@PasifikSecure) September 21, 2023
The Federated States of Micronesia was the first to sign the agreement, followed by Palau, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Tuvalu, Samoa, New Zealand and Australia from the region https://t.co/fSU9oWcuis
We‘ve signed it ✔️
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) September 20, 2023
The landmark Treaty for the High Seas, agreed in March this year, is a key step ahead in ocean protection.
It will enable us to fight climate change, preserve the marine environment and protect biodiversity on the high seas beyond national jurisdiction.
Glad… pic.twitter.com/q0wLW18TII
La signature par notre pays de l’accord @UN sur la protection de la biodiversité en haute mer est une avancée environnementale décisive.
— Hervé Berville (@HerveBerville) September 20, 2023
Universel et juridiquement contraignant, il permet de protéger 70% des océans et donc 50% de la surface de la planète. pic.twitter.com/WAIHAxM3BO
Yesterday, the U.S. was among the first countries to sign the High Seas Treaty to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction. This is an important step forward in the global goal to conserve 30% of our ocean by 2030. https://t.co/fsLL70C9t9
— Matthew Miller (@StateDeptSpox) September 21, 2023
Chile reafirma su compromiso con la protección de los océanos y se suma al histórico Tratado del BBNJ: Presidente @GabrielBoric firma acuerdo por la biodiversidad marina en la #AGNU78 🇺🇳 Además, se propuso a Valparaíso como sede de la secretaría del acuerdo. pic.twitter.com/uIorwKKobY
— Presidencia de Chile (@Presidencia_cl) September 20, 2023
Today Costa Rica🇨🇷was the
— Gina Guillen-Grillo (@GinaGGCR) September 20, 2023
2nd country to sign the agreement for the conservation & sustainable use of marine biodiversity on international areas(BBNJ).Minister Andre signed at UN.After so many years of hard work,commitment and hope we have so much to celebrate!@canc pic.twitter.com/8dkjksGqQU
„Es geht beim Schutz der Meere um nicht weniger als um den Schutz der Lebensgrundlagen der gesamten Menschheit.“ Bundesministerin @SteffiLemke bei der Unterzeichnung des ersten UN-Hochseeschutzabkommens #BBNJ mit Außenministerin @ABaerbock in New York 🌊 https://t.co/CrosQNScG7 pic.twitter.com/bLkb8d7zLr
— Bundesumweltministerium (@BMUV) September 21, 2023
📸 En el marco de la #UNGA78, en representación del @GobiernoMX, la secretaria @aliciabarcena firmó el Acuerdo #BBNJ, reafirmando así el compromiso de nuestro país con la conservación y uso sostenible de la diversidad biológica marina.
— Relaciones Exteriores (@SRE_mx) September 20, 2023
¡Una acción de vanguardia por parte de… pic.twitter.com/UlthxIvAEq
Prime Minister @PhilipJPierreLC on the margins of #UNGA78, signs the #BBNJ Treaty.
— Saint Lucia UN (@SaintLuciaUN) September 21, 2023
As the sixth signatory, 🇱🇨 joins this historic global breakthrough towards the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in the #HighSeas.https://t.co/eTMkl5R3kN#SaintLuciaAtUNGA pic.twitter.com/ZT3pCHKWQC
The Philippine government formally endorsed the landmark international treaty on the protection of marine biodiversity in areas beyond a country’s jurisdiction or the high seas. https://t.co/OnYQOn3cgJ
— Philippine News Agency (@pnagovph) September 21, 2023
Indonesia is among the first countries to sign the #BBNJ (Biodiversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction) Treaty (20/9)
— Menteri Luar Negeri Republik Indonesia (@Menlu_RI) September 21, 2023
Strong & historical momentum on the global efforts in promoting sustainable use of marine biological diversity. pic.twitter.com/B3XoYsnzpY
¡¡Fantástico noticia esta mañana en NY!! Se abre a la firma el Tratado para la Protección de la Biodiversidad en Alta Mar, tras 20 años de negociaciones. España y otros 70 países lo firmamos hoy, confiando en que pueda entrar en vigor antes de un año. pic.twitter.com/y6xK88YAPV
— Teresa Ribera 🌹 (@Teresaribera) September 20, 2023
We must pull together to protect our planet for generations to come 🌍
— MFA Austria (@MFA_Austria) September 20, 2023
Today, Foreign Minister @a_schallenberg signed the Treaty of the High Seas to better protect the ocean & biological diversity to fight #ClimateChange. Thus, an important concern also for landlocked countries. pic.twitter.com/qYGakhUv42
📍 #UNGA
— 🇧🇪 Belgium MFA (@BelgiumMFA) September 20, 2023
🌊 Minister @vincentvq signs the #BBNJ Treaty that ensures the conservation & sustainable use of the high seas.
A fine example of #multilateralism, it represents a historic breakthrough towards the protection of our #biodiversity. pic.twitter.com/pQPcDxmukn
Aotearoa 🇳🇿 is proud to sign the new @UN #BBNJ treaty to protect high seas biodiversity today 🌏. We look forward to many more joining us to safeguard our ocean for future generations. #hinemoana @undoalos pic.twitter.com/GnIQXOC5KN
— Nanaia Mahuta MP (@NanaiaMahuta) September 20, 2023
Today, Tánaiste @MichealMartinTD proudly signed for Ireland🇮🇪 the landmark #BBNJ Agreement.
— Ireland at UN (@irishmissionun) September 20, 2023
The Agreement provides a framework for global action to protect the marine environment.
Ireland urges swift action for its early entry into force. Our oceans can't wait.🌊 pic.twitter.com/l7yJtjs0Ch
Portugal assinou hoje o Acordo BBNJ, entre o primeiro grupo de países signatários. Reafirma-se assim o compromisso 🇵🇹 com a conservação dos Oceanos e a firme intenção de promover uma rápida fase de ratificação deste instrumento.https://t.co/NZoHqMjb0j
— Negócios Estrangeiros PT (@nestrangeiro_pt) September 20, 2023
HSH Prince Albert II 🇲🇨 signs #BBNJ #HighSeasTreaty on the first day of its opening for signature!
— Monaco à l'ONU (@Monaco_ONU) September 20, 2023
🌊🌊
Historic moment for law of the sea and multilateralism @UN. New tools to protect #ocean and #biodiversity with #marineprotectedareas #capacitybuilding #marinescience pic.twitter.com/uUiEWPBeMq