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. It establishes a global framework to protect biodiversity in international waters, which cover roughly two-thirds of the ocean and previously lacked comprehensive governance. The treaty is built on four pillars: area-based management tools (including marine protected areas), rules for sharing benefits from marine genetic resources, capacity building and technology transfer for low-income countries, and standardized environmental impact assessments for activities like marine carbon dioxide removal. While it does not replace Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs) for setting quotas, it aims to influence fisheries through ecosystem-based management. As of January 15, 2026, 83 parties have ratified the agreement. Implementation now depends on the BBNJ Preparatory Commission and the first Conference of Parties (BBNJ COP) to finalize governing structures, financial mechanisms, and operational logistics.

• The High Seas Treaty, also known as the BBNJ agreement, officially enters into force on January 17, 2026, legally binding ratifying countries to the conservation and sustainable management of biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
• The treaty is organized around four core pillars: the creation of area-based management tools and marine protected areas (MPAs); the sharing of financial and non-financial benefits from marine genetic resources; the transfer of marine technology and capacity building for low-income nations; and the establishment of standard processes for environmental impact assessments, specifically mentioning activities such as marine carbon dioxide removal.
• The agreement is designed to complement rather than replace existing frameworks; for instance, Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs) retain their authority over fishing rules and quotas, though the treaty will encourage an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries.
• As of January 15, 2026, 83 parties have ratified the treaty, including the European Union members France, Portugal, and Spain, as well as nations such as Chile, Norway, South Korea, Palau, Cuba, and the Maldives.
• Full implementation requires the finalization of governance and financial structures, with a final BBNJ Preparatory Commission meeting scheduled for March 23-April 2, 2026, preceding the first Conference of Parties (BBNJ COP).

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} }