Treaty Negotiations

Track Progress & Follow Bringing the Treaty into Force with the Treaty Ratification Tracker

On December 24, 2017, the UN General Assembly adopted by consensus Resolution 72/249, to convene an intergovernmental conference and undertake formal negotiations for a new international legally binding instrument (ILBI or treaty) under the UN Convention for the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) for the conservation and sustainable development of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. Resolution 72/249, with 141 government co-sponsors, sends a resounding message of support for the need to protect this neglected half of our planet.

Since 2018, States from around the world have gathered at the UN for three two-week negotiating sessions. The fourth session, originally scheduled to take place from 23 March – April 2 2020, was postponed until August 2021 and rescheduled again in March 2022 due to the COVID-19 virus. The fifth session concluded in New York in August 2022. While it did not result in the adoption of a treaty, the conference saw significant progress.

On March 4, 2023, after almost two decades of discussion, including 5 years of negotiations, the world’s governments reached agreement on key substantive issues for a new Treaty to protect High Seas marine life. The new High Seas Treaty addresses many of the governance gaps that have plagued the ocean, setting out clearer ways to conserve biodiversity in the high seas.

Now, to ensure this hard won progress is not lost, the High Seas Alliance calls on UN member states to swiftly adopt the new High Seas Treaty and to then ratify it under their national law so that it can enter into force as soon as possible.

To read more about the High Seas Alliance work and Treaty negotiations, visit the archived Treaty Negotiations Tracker website.

To see who has signed or ratified the High Seas Treaty, visit the Treaty Ratification Tracker.

Treaty Ratification Tracker

Ratification: Next Steps and Resources

Timeline

After almost two decades of discussion, including five years of negotiations from 2018 to 2023, interrupted by COVID-19, the fifth negotiating session (IGC5) concluded in New York in August 2022. While it did not result in the adoption of a treaty, the conference saw significant progress. 

Following a resumed session in March 2023 and conclusion of the BBNJ agreement, the High Seas Treaty was formally adopted by UN member states in New York on June 19, 2023. 

The eyes of the world now turn to governments to swiftly ratify the High Seas Treaty with the goal for it to enter into force by the next UN Ocean Conference in June 2025.Follow the journeytowards an international legally binding instrument on marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

Treaty Timeline

Adoption and Ratification

In June 2023, governments formally adopted the High Seas Treaty to protect ocean life. Now we need to fast-track ratification of the Treaty so it becomes law.

As soon as 60 countries ratify, 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.

Follow progress on the High Seas Treaty Ratification Tracker

Ratification Tracker Coming Soon

Factsheet

On 4 March 2023, after 5 years of negotiations, the world reached a significant milestone for the global ocean and efforts to stem global biodiversity decline when nations agreed a new High Seas Treaty to protect ocean life. Once it has been ratified by at least 60 countries, the new Treaty will provide the legal framework to address many of the governance gaps that have plagued the ocean and provide a roadmap to conserve biodiversity areas that lie beyond national jurisdiction.

Download thes factsheet to find out more about the new High Seas Treaty.

Factsheet

Treaty Q&A

Watch the High Seas Treaty Briefing and download an overview of some of the key questions and answers regarding this new High Seas Treaty.

Treaty Q&A

We Only Have #OneOceanOnePlanet