By Abbas Nazil
The United Nations High Seas Treaty has officially entered into force, marking a historic milestone in global efforts to protect marine biodiversity in international waters.
The legally binding agreement, adopted in 2022 after nearly two decades of negotiations, establishes the first global framework for conserving ecosystems beyond national jurisdictions.
International waters make up nearly two-thirds of the world’s oceans and have long remained largely unregulated.
The treaty, formally known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement, is widely regarded as essential to safeguarding fragile marine ecosystems.
Its core objective is to support the global target of protecting 30 percent of the world’s oceans by 2030.
Currently, only about one percent of the high seas is under protection, leaving marine species increasingly exposed to overfishing, pollution and climate change.
The agreement crossed the required threshold for enforcement last September after at least 60 countries ratified it.
It entered into force last Saturday following ratifications by nations including Sri Lanka, Sierra Leone, Morocco and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
So far, 80 of the 142 signatory countries have completed ratification.
Governments and environmental organisations worldwide welcomed the development as a turning point for ocean conservation.
Environmental leaders described the treaty as a critical tool for reversing biodiversity loss and restoring ocean health.
The Nature Conservancy said binding international protections are essential to achieving global conservation goals.
However, advocacy groups cautioned that implementation will determine the treaty’s true impact.
Ocean conservation organisations stressed that political commitment must now translate into concrete action.
They warned that without rapid designation of marine protected areas, the treaty risks remaining symbolic.
Members of the BBNJ High Ambition Coalition, which includes 52 countries, praised the agreement as a major environmental victory.
Chile described the treaty as one of the most important global achievements for both conservation and sustainable use of marine resources.
Small island nations also welcomed the development, noting its importance for communities dependent on healthy fisheries.
Leaders from Pacific states said the agreement demonstrates that global environmental threats require collective solutions.
Concerns remain over countries that have not ratified the treaty.
The United States signed the agreement in 2023 but has yet to ratify it and recently withdrew from several UN ocean-related bodies.
Environmental organisations have urged major economies to formally join to strengthen global cooperation.
The treaty addresses four major areas, including marine genetic resources, environmental impact assessments, marine protected areas and technology transfer.
It also establishes funding mechanisms and governance structures such as a Conference of the Parties and a permanent secretariat.
Belgium has proposed hosting the secretariat, citing its leadership in ocean diplomacy.
However, several environmental groups have criticised the bid due to Belgium’s links to deep-sea mining interests.
Dozens of NGOs have called for a precautionary pause on seabed mining, warning of irreversible ecological damage.
They argue that mining activities threaten marine habitats, disrupt carbon cycles and undermine conservation goals.
To date, at least 40 countries support a ban or moratorium on deep-sea mining.
Environmental advocates say the High Seas Treaty represents a global commitment to science-based protection and shared responsibility.
They stress that the agreement’s success will depend on swift enforcement and sustained political will.
As the treaty takes effect, attention now turns to whether nations can transform global promises into lasting protection for the world’s oceans.
