23 September 2026: The High Seas Treaty has just reached 100 parties, after Germany, Papua New Guinea, Zimbabwe, Canada, Australia and Brunei Darussalam deposited their instruments of ratification during the UN General Assembly (UNGA) this week. This triple figure milestone comes almost a year to the day after the Treaty crossed the 60-ratification threshold needed for entry into force, and brings the Agreement closer to the goal of universal ratification.
The Treaty officially entered into force on 17 January 2026, following almost two decades of discussion and negotiation. It delivers the world’s first comprehensive legal framework to protect ocean life on the High Seas- nearly half the planet’s surface– and offers a vital tool to help combat the triple planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
With the first Conference of the Parties (COP1) scheduled for January 2027, the Treaty is now entering a new phase: its implementation. The priority for COP1 will be agreeing on the institutional setup and operating rules necessary for long-term success. This marks a clear shift to delivering on the reason the Treaty was agreed in the first place- the urgent need for protection of ocean life on the High Seas. Critical to this will be establishing highly and fully protected Marine Protected Areas and setting rigorous standards for environmental impact assessments.
The Treaty’s membership already spans every region of the world- from major maritime powers to small island big ocean states, from developed to developing states and notably a number of landlocked countries, underlining that High Seas protection is a shared global responsibility, not just a coastal one.
However legitimacy, equity and effective governance of the High Seas will depend on continued growth in the number and diversity of parties. Only ratifying countries can vote and shape the Treaty’s decisions, which means that those countries that have not yet ratified will not have a seat at the table to decide on the rules for nearly half the planet.
“ In many cultures the number 100 carries real weight- whether it is a marker for age, an anniversary, a symbol of luck and prosperity. For the High Seas Treaty, it marks the real momentum of the world uniting around ocean protection, even in divided times. But we cannot stop here,” said Rebecca Hubbard, Director of the High Seas Alliance. “We need more countries to ratify in order to achieve equitable global ocean protection by 2030. Parties need to show up ready to engage at COP1 so this wave of support turns into real decisions, not just symbolism. How countries engage in this first critical meeting will set the tone for every COP that follows, and too much is on the line to get this wrong.”
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Country specific quotes:
Africa: “The ratifications by African countries show that the continent intends to help shape ocean governance, not simply follow it. For coastal communities in Central and West Africa, a protected high seas means healthier fisheries, thriving marine wildlife and a more secure future.” Dr. Aristide Takoukam Kamla, President and Founder, African Marine Conservation Organization (AMCO)
Australia: “Australia’s formal ratification of the High Seas Treaty is a historic moment we can be deeply proud of, but now we need to turn this landmark agreement into real protection for the ocean. The ocean is under mounting pressure from destructive industrial fishing, including longlining and bottom trawling. Vast, robust ocean sanctuaries offer a crucial solution, giving whales, turtles, seabirds and other ocean wildlife a safe blue haven to recover and thrive’. We’re calling on the Australian government to lead with ambition, science and collaboration by championing multiple high seas ocean sanctuaries in our region, starting with a large sanctuary in the Tasman Sea between Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.” Elle Lawless, Senior Ocean Campaigner at Greenpeace Australia Pacific.
Canada: “Canada’s ratification marks an important milestone in its many contributions to the Treaty process, as well as to ocean governance on a national and international scale. Now that Canada has ratified, it has an opportunity to continue its commitment to multilateral action over the coming months through the First Conference of the Parties and as the host of the 12th Our Ocean Conference. We look forward to seeing further demonstrations of ambitious leadership, including support for the participation of developing countries and Indigenous peoples, consultation with stakeholders and rightsholders, and next steps to identify the first generation of high seas marine protected areas.” Susanna Fuller, Vice President, Conservation and Projects, Oceans North
Germany: “We congratulate Germany on formally becoming a Party to the BBNJ Agreement. As a maritime nation, Germany has been a leading voice for this landmark treaty, and we greatly welcome its continued commitment to advancing implementation, including through the adoption of comprehensive national legislation. Having this legislation in place early demonstrates Germany’s leadership and ensures it is ready to deliver on the Agreement from day one. The ocean is facing mounting pressure from climate change, plastic pollution, underwater noise, biodiversity loss and a growing range of human activities. As we look towards the first Conference of the Parties in January 2027, we hope Germany will continue to lead and help turn the BBNJ Agreement from a landmark treaty into real and lasting protection for the ocean and the marine life it sustains.” said Fabienne McLellan, Managing Director at OceanCare
Press contact: Patricia Roy, patricia@communicationsinc.co.uk