Key facts
- The High Seas Treaty officially entered into force on January 17, 2026.
- The treaty is a binding international agreement.
- It aims to protect marine biodiversity in waters beyond national jurisdiction.
- The treaty seeks to establish marine protected areas on the high seas.
- It also aims to ensure equitable sharing of marine resources.
- The high seas constitute approximately 64% of the ocean.
- Ratification by at least 60 countries was required for the treaty to enter into force.
- The treaty enables the establishment of a Conference of the Parties (COP).
- A scientific and technical body will also be created under the treaty.
The High Seas Treaty, a landmark international agreement designed to protect marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, has officially entered into force on January 17, 2026. This treaty represents a crucial step towards safeguarding the health of the world's oceans, which cover more than two-thirds of the planet and are vital for climate regulation and biodiversity. The agreement establishes a legal framework to create marine protected areas (MPAs) on the high seas, which constitute approximately 64% of the ocean. It also addresses the equitable sharing of benefits derived from marine genetic resources, a contentious issue that has been a focus of negotiations. The treaty's entry into force is contingent upon its ratification by at least 60 countries, a threshold that has now been met. This milestone enables the operationalization of the treaty's provisions, including the establishment of a Conference of the Parties (COP) to oversee its implementation and the creation of a scientific and technical body. The treaty aims to halt and reverse the decline of marine ecosystems, which are facing increasing threats from climate change, pollution, and overfishing. By providing a mechanism for conservation and sustainable use, the High Seas Treaty seeks to ensure that these vast ocean areas can continue to provide essential ecosystem services for future generations.