.New York: A landmark global treaty to protect marine life in the high seas will officially take effect on January 17, 2026, after crossing the threshold of ratifications required for entry into force, the United Nations announced.
The pact — formally known as the Agreement under the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction — covers more than two-thirds of the world’s oceans. Adopted in June 2023, it aims to safeguard fragile marine ecosystems, share benefits from ocean resources fairly, and strengthen global capacity to manage activities in international waters.
“This rapid pace underscores the continued commitment of States to multilateralism,” said U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, noting the treaty moved from adoption to entry into force in just over two years. “It also confirms that we can only face global challenges through collective efforts.”
The agreement establishes rules for protecting biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, including the creation of marine protected areas, environmental impact assessments for ocean activities, and mechanisms to transfer marine technology and build capacity in developing countries. It also sets up financial and institutional arrangements to ensure its implementation and resolve disputes.
The treaty’s adoption was hailed as a breakthrough in efforts to confront what scientists call the “triple planetary crisis” of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. It is also key to achieving global sustainability targets, including U.N. Sustainable Development Goal 14, which calls for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans.
A Preparatory Commission created by the U.N. General Assembly is laying the groundwork for the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties, which must convene within a year of the treaty’s entry into force. The body has already met twice this year and will reconvene in March 2026 to finalize governance issues critical to the treaty’s rollout.
Until a permanent secretariat is established, the U.N.’s Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea will perform interim secretariat functions.
