On 4 March 2023, history was made when the world’s governments finalized a brand new United Nations Treaty to protect marine life in the half of the planet that makes up the High Seas, the immense ocean area that lies beyond countries’ national waters.
On 19 June 2023, the final High Seas Treaty* text was formally adopted.
In September 2025, the Treaty reached the required 60 ratifications, triggering its entry into force on 17 January 2026 and becoming binding international law.
The more countries that ratify the Treaty, the stronger and more effective it will be.
The Race for Ratification is on.
The High Seas Alliance calls on governments to continue ratifying the Treaty and accelerate implementation to ensure it delivers meaningful protection for the ocean.
The High Seas Treaty opened for signature at the United Nations on 20 September 2023 and remained open for two years. By signing, governments marked their commitment to ratify the Treaty.
The ratification process happens nationally. Once governments formally consent to the new international law, they must ensure their domestic laws are consistent with it.
With the Treaty now in force, governments that have ratified it will meet regularly to agree urgent measures to protect High Seas life, including establishing marine protected areas and ensuring transparent environmental impact assessments of potentially harmful activities.
* The High Seas Alliance (HSA) sometimes uses the term “High Seas Treaty“ as a short-hand for the BBNJ Agreement. HSA acknowledges that the scope of the BBNJ Agreement encompasses all Areas beyond national jurisdiction, including the seafloor and water column. This choice of wording is intended to ease understanding for broad audiences and does not convey a prioritization among the components or principles of the BBNJ Agreement.
