WWF: Historic UN High Seas Treaty is a turning point for ocean protection and restoration
WWF celebrates the latest ratifications of the UN High Seas Treaty, marking a milestone moment in global ocean governance. With 60 countries ratifying the treaty, it has now reached the threshold required for it to enter into force in January 2026, ushering in much-needed conservation for oceans.
The High Seas Treaty, also often referred to as the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction – BBJN), is of global importance for ocean-related goals, covering two-thirds of the ocean. Finally, it will provide a legally binding mechanism to enable the designation of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in areas beyond national jurisdiction—r an essential step toward achieving the global target of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030, recently adopted by 196 countries in the Global Biodiversity Framework.
Kirsten Schuijt, Director General, WWF International, said: “This is a monumental achievement for ocean conservation. The High Seas Treaty will be a positive catalyst for collaboration across international waters and agreements and is a turning point for two-thirds of the world’s ocean that lie beyond national jurisdiction.”
The high seas support crucial fisheries, provide habitats for hundreds of thousands of species and mitigate climate change impacts, with 23% of human-related carbon emissions being absorbed by the ocean over the last 10 years. But these waters are being exploited by heavily subsidized, industrial distant water fisheries to the detriment of species and the health of the ocean.
Madagascar submitted the treaty ratification dossier on September 24, 2025. The entry into force of this treaty strengthens the international framework for marine conservation by complementing and reinforcing the national action currently being carried out by the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MEDD), through the GEF6-AMP project, to establish favorable conditions for tripling the size of Marine Protected Areas (from 800,000 ha to 2,400,000 ha).
