After 20 Years, an Agreement to Safeguard the 'High Seas' Takes Force

The High Seas Treaty, formally the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ agreement), enters into force on January 17, 2026. The treaty establishes a legal framework to protect biodiversity and manage natural resources in the 'high seas'—ocean areas outside any single country's jurisdiction, which cover approximately half of the planet's surface.

• The High Seas Treaty officially enters into force on January 17, 2026, following ratification in September 2025. As of January 15, 2026, 83 parties have ratified the agreement and are legally bound to support the sustainable management of high-seas biodiversity.
• The treaty is built upon four core pillars: the creation of area-based management tools and marine protected areas (MPAs); rules for sharing financial and non-financial benefits from marine genetic resources; capacity building and the transfer of marine technology to low-income countries; and the establishment of a standard process for environmental impact assessments of activities beyond national borders, such as marine carbon dioxide removal.
• While the treaty does not directly regulate fisheries management—leaving quotas and rules to Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs)—it aims to influence environmental standards and encourage an ecosystem-based approach to managing ocean resources.
• Implementation of the treaty depends on the upcoming first Conference of Parties (BBNJ COP) and a final preparatory meeting scheduled for March 23 to April 2, 2026, in New York. These sessions will finalize governing structures, financial rules, and the roles of the Scientific and Technical Body and the Clearing House Mechanism.

APA

World Resources Institute (2026). After 20 Years, an Agreement to Safeguard the 'High Seas' Takes Force. https://www.wri.org/insights/high-seas-treaty-explainer

Chicago

World Resources Institute. After 20 Years, an Agreement to Safeguard the 'High Seas' Takes Force. 2026. https://www.wri.org/insights/high-seas-treaty-explainer.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=After 20 Years, an Agreement to Safeguard the 'High Seas' Takes Force |date=15 January 2026 |url=https://www.wri.org/insights/high-seas-treaty-explainer |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitute2026after, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{After 20 Years, an Agreement to Safeguard the 'High Seas' Takes Force}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, year = {2026}, month = jan, url = {https://www.wri.org/insights/high-seas-treaty-explainer}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }