Seattle: A landmark international agreement to safeguard marine biodiversity in the high seas is set to come into force next year after Morocco became the 60th nation to ratify the treaty.
The milestone triggers the countdown for the long-awaited pact to take effect, marking the first binding legal framework to protect international waters that make up nearly two-thirds of the ocean and almost half of Earth’s surface.
The High Seas Treaty, finalized in 2023 after over a decade of negotiations, aims to address the growing threats to marine ecosystems, including overfishing, climate change, and deep-sea mining. It is also central to achieving the global “30×30” goal, protecting 30 percent of the world’s land and sea by 2030.
“The high seas are the world’s largest crime scene- they’re unmanaged, unenforced, and a regulatory legal structure is necessary,” said Johan Bergenas, senior vice president of oceans at the World Wildlife Fund.
History made for the ocean: #BBNJ Agreement enters into force, protecting high seas and deep seabed, safeguarding life under water, which is good for people and the planet.
“Our ocean is the foundation of our very existence. Today we took an important step forward to save our… pic.twitter.com/XxhOqg9KlY
— UN Environment Programme (@UNEP) September 20, 2025
The treaty establishes a legal pathway to create marine protected areas in international waters, regulate potentially destructive activities such as geoengineering and seabed mining, and promote technology-sharing, funding mechanisms, and scientific collaboration.
Despite the breakthrough, questions remain about the treaty’s ultimate strength. Some of the world’s largest maritime players, including the United States, China, Russia, and Japan, have yet to ratify the agreement. The US and China have signed, signaling intent but stopping short of legal obligations, while Russia and Japan remain active in preparatory talks.
“If major fishing nations like China, Russia, and Japan don’t join, they could undermine the protected areas,” warned Guillermo Crespo, a high seas expert with the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
🎉 Historic day for the ocean! With ratifications from Sri Lanka, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Sierra Leone & Morocco, the High Seas Treaty has hit 60 ratifications, triggering its entry into force. 🌊💙
Read our press release: https://t.co/jSxmfycra2 pic.twitter.com/75IBoIbZZR
— High Seas Alliance (@HighSeasAllianc) September 19, 2025
Scientists and conservationists caution that without effective implementation, marine ecosystems could suffer irreversible harm. “Marine life doesn’t respect political boundaries,” said Lisa Speer, director of the Natural Resources Defense Council’s international oceans program.
For small island nations such as Vanuatu, which face existential threats from ocean degradation and climate change, the treaty represents a long-overdue step toward equity in global ocean governance.
Under the treaty, countries that ratify gain voting rights in the decision-making conferences of parties. Within a year of the agreement’s entry into force, governments will meet to decide on financing, oversight, and implementation mechanisms.
