Global Marine Protection Treaty Enters into Force

The marine biodiversity treaty will help to protect the oceans.

Almost two decades in the making, an international agreement to protect marine life in international waters and the seabed is due to come into force on Saturday, marking a major step forward in efforts to safeguard ocean ecosystems for decades to come.

Officially known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, the legally binding UN treaty covers ocean zones beyond national waters—the “high seas”—as well as the international seabed area.

These regions account for more than two-thirds of the ocean’s surface and over 90 per cent of Earth’s habitat by volume, as most life on the planet exists underwater.

Why it matters
The BBNJ Agreement is designed to transform the high seas and the international seabed into areas managed sustainably for the benefit of all humanity.

It is also the first legally binding ocean instrument to provide for inclusive ocean governance, with provisions for the engagement of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, as well as gender balance.

Once fully implemented, the agreement is expected to make a significant contribution to addressing the so-called “triple planetary crisis” of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.

Speaking to UN News, Tanzanian diplomat Mzee Ali Haji, who led his country’s negotiation team during the BBNJ talks, said the agreement marked a major advance in protecting international waters.

“Everyone should bear in mind that there is now control over activities on the high seas. For instance, when you pollute, you are responsible for your actions,” he said.

The BBNJ strengthens the existing international legal framework by building on the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea—often described as the “constitution for the oceans”—which has governed maritime and seabed use since it came into force in 1994.

The agreement addresses gaps in the Convention, provides clearer guidance on biodiversity management, and aligns ocean governance with modern challenges such as climate change and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

What does ‘entry into force’ mean?
Once the agreement enters into force, it becomes legally binding for the 81 countries that have ratified it so far, meaning they must incorporate its provisions into national law.

The treaty specifies that it enters into force 120 days after ratification by at least 60 countries, a threshold that has now been met.

Who has signed up—and who has not?
Several major economies have ratified the BBNJ Agreement, including China, Germany, Japan, France and Brazil.

China, which plays a major role in ocean-related industries such as shipbuilding, aquaculture, fisheries and offshore oil and gas, exported around $155 billion in ocean-related goods in 2023, according to UN trade data.

Countries yet to ratify the treaty include the United States, India, the United Kingdom and Russia.

The United States, the world’s largest economy, is among the top five exporters of ocean-related goods, valued at about $61 billion. Although it adopted the treaty in 2023, it has not yet been ratified by the Senate.

India adopted the agreement in 2024, but domestic legislation required for ratification is still pending. While the UK introduced related legislation in 2025, parliamentary ratification has yet to take place.

Russia remains among a small group of countries that have neither adopted nor ratified the treaty, citing a desire to preserve existing governance frameworks and ensure freedom of navigation and shipping in international waters.

Is this a setback?
Despite the hesitation of some major economies, Mr Haji remains optimistic about the treaty’s impact in its current form.

“Developing countries and small island states need support,” he said. “We expect that, in the future, they will accept this agreement, because it will help them. Protecting the high seas is the responsibility of all of us.”

What happens next?
More countries can still ratify the agreement, which would strengthen its effectiveness.

“When you negotiate something, you cannot expect 100 per cent of countries to ratify it immediately,” Mr Haji said. “Some observe first, and when they see the benefits, they join. I believe more countries will do so in the future.”

Beyond participation, effective implementation will be crucial, particularly enforcement against violations. Under the treaty, the first meeting to review progress on ratification and implementation is scheduled to take place within one year of the agreement’s entry into force.