The world has just reached a major milestone for the ocean. Over sixty countries have now ratified the High Seas Treaty, the minimum number needed for this landmark Agreement to come into force. This is a huge step toward better protection of nearly half our planet: the ocean area beyond national jurisdiction: the High Seas.
Continue reading From 60 to Global: What happens next for the High Seas Treaty?
19 September 2025. Following the deposit of ratification instruments by four new countries this week at the United Nations–Sri Lanka, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sierra Leone and Morocco- the High Seas Treaty has reached the milestone of 60 state ratifications needed to trigger its entry into force. Formally known as the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (or BBNJ Agreement), the Treaty will become legally effective 120 days from today (17 January 2026).
Nice, 13 June 2025. The 3rd UN Ocean Conference is ending today with a historic step towards ensuring greater High Seas protection. With 19 additional countries depositing their ratifications, the total number of that count toward the High Seas Treaty’s entry into force has now reached 50. Only 10 more are needed to cross the critical 60-country threshold that would trigger the Treaty’s coming into effect.
As the world prepares to gather in Nice, France, for the 3rd UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3), momentum for ocean protection has never been stronger. In just two years since its adoption at the United Nations, the High Seas Treaty (BBNJ Agreement) could be nearing a historic milestone.
New York, 28 May 2025, The High Seas Alliance congratulates the European Union (EU) and 6 EU member states that have deposited their instruments of ratification at the United Nations headquarters in New York today. This coordinated move brings the official number of High Seas Treaty ratifications to 28.
As momentum builds for the 3rd UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, the High Seas Alliance and partners are preparing for a major moment in the global effort to protect our ocean.
Continue reading High Seas Alliance at UNOC3: Celebrating Action
As the world gathers in Busan for the 10th Our Ocean Conference, April 28-30, the High Seas Alliance is focused on one urgent priority: accelerating the ratification of the High Seas Treaty. With the clock ticking to secure protection for biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction, this year’s conference is a pivotal moment to keep up the momentum.
Continue reading High Seas Alliance at the 10th Our Ocean Conference
On Thursday, March 13, the National Assembly held a plenary session and passed the “Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction” under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. With this, Korea has officially endorsed the ratification of the “Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction” (hereinafter referred to as the BBNJ Agreement).
Continue reading [Joint Statement] Welcoming Korea’s Ratification of the BBNJ Agreement
The ocean needs your voice! This year marks a pivotal moment for the High Seas Treaty—a once-in-a-generation opportunity to protect almost half of our planet. But for this landmark Treaty to enter into force, it must be ratified by at least 60 countries. Together, we can ensure this happens by the next United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) in June 2025.
We’re calling on people around the world to join the #RaceForRatification by writing a message to your country leaders. The messages from people from all over the world will be displayed on a map to show our powerful, united global call for action. Each message is a plea to leaders worldwide to ratify the Treaty and secure a healthy, thriving ocean for generations to come. Your messages will also be delivered to them at key moments throughout the year.
Continue reading Join the Wave in 2025: Call on Leaders to Ratify the High Seas Treaty
![[Joint Statement] Welcoming Korea’s Ratification of the BBNJ Agreement](https://highseasalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/angelo-pantazis-zsgiZnQtvsY-unsplash-150x150.jpg)
