IMO and marine conservationists welcome historic ‘High Seas Treaty’

A landmark UN treaty to safeguard marine biodiversity on the high seas has now met the required 60 ratifications for entry into force, clearing the way for it to take effect in January 2026.  

The treaty, formally known as the 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 (BBNJ agreement), was adopted by UN Member States in June 2023 after nearly two decades of negotiations.  

The pact – commonly referred to as the ‘High Seas Treaty’ – covers two-thirds of the world’s ocean area that lies beyond national boundaries. 

It establishes legally binding rules to conserve and sustainably use marine biodiversity, share benefits from marine genetic resources more fairly, create protected areas, and strengthen scientific cooperation and capacity building. 

IMO took an active part in the negotiations during the sessions of the BBNJ Conference, to ensure that IMO will play an important role in the implementation of the BBNJ Agreement and that the new instrument will not negatively impact IMO's existing mandate and framework. 

IMO points out that many of its measures actively contribute to the conservation of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, including the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL). The BBNJ Agreement and the IMO’s 2025 World Maritime Day theme - “Our Ocean: Our Obligation – Our Opportunity”- are deeply interlinked and they correlate in both spirit and substance.  

Progress on the Treaty has accelerated in recent months, with dozens of countries announcing their intent to ratify during the 2025 UN Ocean Conference in June. Four new ratifications took place last week ahead of the 80th session of the United Nations Global Assembly. The treaty’s entry into force will trigger preparations for its first Conference of the Parties (COP1), where governments will define how protections will be implemented and monitored. 

These provisions are vital to achieving climate and biodiversity global goals, including the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) 30×30 target to protect 30% of the planet’s land and ocean by 2030. 

“This is the culmination of decades of work by governments, scientists, Indigenous communities, and civil society,” said Matt Collis, Senior Director of Policy at non-profit environmental and animal welfare body IFAW, which has long advocated for strong, equitable protections under the treaty. “We now need that same ambition and urgency to ensure this framework delivers meaningful conservation outcomes.” 

IFAW urges all remaining signatories to swiftly complete their ratification processes and calls on ratifying countries to take bold, science-based action at COP1 to protect ocean ecosystems under threat. 

“With the treaty’s entry into force, governments now have a critical opportunity to establish marine protected areas on the high seas, close governance gaps, and build resilience in the face of the climate crisis,” added Collis.