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. In September 2025, the Treaty reached the required 60 ratifications, triggering its entry into force on 17 January 2026.
With the Treaty now international law, attention turns to governments to accelerate implementation and translate commitments into action to protect marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. Follow the journey toward effective delivery of this historic agreement.
Adoption and Ratification
In June 2023, governments formally adopted the High Seas Treaty to protect ocean life. In September 2025, the Treaty reached the required 60 ratifications and officially entered into force on 17 January 2026.
With the Treaty now international law, we must ramp up international action to protect our shared ocean, mitigate climate breakdown, and safeguard the lives and livelihoods of billions of people worldwide, while encouraging more countries to join.
Follow progress on the High Seas Treaty Ratification Tracker
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. Having now been ratified by at least 60 countries and entered into force on 17 January 2026, the new Treaty provides the legal framework to address many of the governance gaps that have plagued the ocean and sets out a roadmap to conserve biodiversity in areas that lie beyond national jurisdiction.
Download the factsheet in English to find out more about the new High Seas Treaty.
DEEP DIVES BRIEFINGS
Download and read the Deep Dives Briefings – a series of briefings that explains the key provisions of the BBNJ Agreement:
- Part II of the BBNJ Agreement: Marine Genetic Resources including the fair & equitable sharing of benefits
- Part III of the BBNJ Agreement: Area-based management tools
- Part IV of the BBNJ Agreement: Environmental Impact Assessment
- Part V of the BBNJ Agreement: Capacity building and the transfer of marine technologies
- BBNJ and activities within national jurisdiction