A landmark achievement for ocean protection and multilateral cooperation has been reached: on 17 January 2026, the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) – also known as the High Seas Treaty – officially enters into force, marking the first time the international community has agreed on a comprehensive global legal framework to protect marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, covering nearly half of the planet’s surface and about two-thirds of the world’s ocean.

The Agreement’s entry into force is the result of almost two decades of negotiations and advocacy including by governments, scientists, and non-governmental organisations from across the globe. As the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution accelerates, a healthy ocean is vital in absorbing heat and carbon, regulating weather systems, and supporting the livelihoods for billions of people.

The BBNJ Agreement can become a game-changer for marine biodiversity, providing the international community with legally binding tools to protect marine life through marine protected areas and environmental impact assessments before human activities are approved.

Fabienne McLellan, Managing Director at OceanCare, commented:

“Today is indeed a historic day for the ocean. The entry into force of the BBNJ Agreement marks the culmination of years of dedicated negotiations and multilateral effort. The international community sets an important counterpoint by taking a significant step towards closing governance gaps and legal vacuums affecting the world’s largest habitat — one that belongs to everyone and no one at the same time. This Agreement is indeed a lifeline toward safeguarding the High Seas and effectively managing and mitigating transboundary threats, ensuring that these vast waters become a protected and habitable home for marine life.”

Johannes Müller, Ocean Policy Specialist at OceanCare, added: 

“It is by no means self-evident that the Agreement could enter into force so quickly after finalisation, especially in such turbulent political times. Amid growing geopolitical tensions and accelerating environmental crises, this Agreement demonstrates that international cooperation can still deliver results for the common good. But entry into force is not the finish line – it marks the start of a new phase of responsible, conservation-oriented ocean governance. The true success of the Agreement will be measured by its effective implementation, the strength of its institutions, and the translation of its protection commitments into tangible action.”

Currently 81 countries have officially joined the BBNJ Agreement (145 Signatories). This is an encouraging start, especially given the rapid pace with which the Agreement entered into force. However, other key ocean players, such as the United States of America, which has signed but not formally joined the Agreement, and the Russian Federation, which has neither signed nor joined it, have yet to come on board. Achieving universal membership is essential to ensure that all areas beyond national jurisdiction are effectively protected, that marine biodiversity is conserved, and that the rules agreed upon are applied consistently across the High Seas. Many pollutants, including underwater noise and plastic, do not respect borders. Addressing these increasingly devastating transboundary threats will require the participation, commitment and collaboration of all nations.

“Now that implementation takes centre stage, it is crucial for the success of the Agreement that those EU Member States, such as Germany and Austria, that have not yet formally joined, along with other key countries such as Switzerland, do so. Their participation will not only add political weight but also demonstrate multilateral leadership and credibility at a time when international cooperation is under increasing pressure”, concludes Fabienne McLellan.
Source: OceanCare