Ocean Protection Milestone: High Seas Treaty Reaches Ratification Threshold For Entry Into Force
In a significant breakthrough after almost two years after its adoption, the High Seas Treaty has officially reached the 60 ratifications needed to enter into force.
PRESS RELEASE – 19 September 2025
Ocean Protection Milestone: High Seas Treaty Reaches Ratification Threshold For Entry Into Force
A historic moment for the ocean: After a ratification push over the past days against the backdrop of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly, the BBNJ Agreement – also known as the High Seas Treaty – has officially reached the critical threshold of at least 60 ratifications, triggering a 120-day countdown to its entry into force.
- Historic milestone: The BBNJ Agreement (High Seas Treaty) has reached the 60-ratification threshold, launching the 120-day countdown to entry into force.
- Protecting the blue heart of our planet: The Agreement sets a new global standard for the protection of the high seas, including the establishment of marine protected areas, the implementation of environmental safeguards, and the fair sharing of marine genetic resources.
- From promise to action: Ratification is only the beginning – governments must now ensure effective implementation to deliver lasting protection for marine biodiversity.
The BBNJ Agreement is a game-changer for marine biodiversity, setting the stage to protect life in areas beyond national jurisdiction through marine protected areas, environmental impact assessments, as well as fair and inclusive rules on capacity-building and benefit-sharing from marine genetic resources.
It has been two and a half years since Ambassador Rena Lee, in her closing remarks as President of the BBNJ negotiation process, declared that ‘the ship has reached the shore’ when the BBNJ Agreement was finally concluded. With the threshold of at least 60 ratifications now reached, that ship is ready to set sail towards protecting the ocean beyond national jurisdiction. The question now is whether it will grow into a strong fleet, capable of navigating steadily towards robust protection and staying the course, a test that the international community must now rise to meet.
Fabienne McLellan, Managing Director at OceanCare, commented:
“The current 60 ratifications mark a once-in-a-generation achievement for global ocean governance and a moment to celebrate. Countries across the globe have shown real leadership and focus on what will make a tangible difference, despite times of political turmoil,” said Fabienne McLellan, Managing Director of OceanCare, further noting that “the international community has come together to deliver on a promise to safeguard our blue planet. However, the true measure of success of the Agreement will be its implementation, where the protection of the ocean must guide every step.”
Johannes Müller, Ocean Policy Specialist at OceanCare, added:
“This is a milestone, but it is only the beginning. The ocean knows no borders, and neither should our ambition. The real test lies in effective implementation, ensuring the Agreement delivers concrete benefits for marine ecosystems and the communities that depend on them,” further noting that “as the Preparatory Commission process advances, with its next meeting scheduled for March 2026, governments must continue to work together to establish the institutions and procedures that will turn this historic agreement into lasting protection for marine biodiversity.”
The international community has reached an important milestone, securing the 60 ratifications required for the Agreement to enter into force. To ensure a truly holistic and effective approach, governments must now work towards universal participation. In particular, ratification by the missing 12 EU Member States, and also Switzerland which have not yet done so, as well as other major powers will be crucial, not only to lend the Agreement the political weight and resources needed, but also to demonstrate global leadership and credibility in advancing ocean governance.
ENDS
Media contact
- Fabienne McLellan, Managing Director, OceanCare, fmclellan@oceancare.org, +41 79 456 77 07
- Dr. Johannes Müller, Ocean Policy Specialist, OceanCare, jmueller@oceancare.org, +41 78 345 80 13
Notes to editors
The BBNJ Agreement (officially "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 UNCLOS BBNJ Agreement) was finalised on 4 March 2023 after a process of nearly two decades. The high seas cover nearly two-thirds (64%) of the global ocean – around half of Earth’s surface. Yet less than 1% of these areas are fully protected.
The Agreement provides the first cohesive, comprehensive, international, and legally binding framework to specifically protect high seas biodiversity, addressing major gaps in ocean governance. Following the formal adoption of the Agreement text by negotiating States at the UN on 19 June 2023, 60 ratifications were needed for it to enter into force. After the 60th ratification is deposited with the UN Secretary-General, a 120-day countdown begins before the Treaty becomes international law. Consequently, the Agreement will enter into force on January 17th, 2026.
Preparatory Commission (PrepCom) process
Recognising the work ahead, States agreed to establish a Preparatory Commission (PrepCom) to lay the institutional groundwork ahead of the Agreement’s entry into force and the first meeting of its governing body—the Conference of the Parties (CoP), which is the primary decision-making body responsible for overseeing implementation.
The PrepCom process is more than administrative housekeeping. It serves as a critical bridge between the Agreement’s adoption and its full implementation. Having met twice in 2025 (April and August), the PrepCom will meet again in March 2026, continuing its work on developing recommendations for CoP1 on how the Agreement’s institutional foundations should be built and how it will operate in practice. In short, it is about turning the Agreement from text into action.
Publications
- Official UN Website
- High Seas Alliance: High Seas Treaty Ratification Tracker
- OceanCare: High Seas Treaty (UNCLOS BBNJ)
- High Seas Alliance Factsheet: High Seas Treaty 2023
- OceanCare PrepCom work: High Seas Treaty: The Critical PrepCom Process - OceanCare
About OceanCare
OceanCare is an international marine conservation non-governmental organisation, founded in Switzerland in 1989. The organisation pursues the protection and restoration of the marine environment and marine wildlife with a strong policy focus, combining research, conservation projects and education. OceanCare’s remit includes marine pollution, climate change, marine mammal hunting and the environmental consequences of fisheries. Its work is supported by a team of scientific, legal and policy experts, and involves strategic collaboration with civil society organisations and coalitions around the world. OceanCare is an officially accredited partner and observer to several UN conventions and other international fora. www.oceancare.org --
OceanCare Gerbestrasse 6 CH-8820 Waedenswil - Switzerland www.oceancare.org