United Nation’s BBNJ Agreement clears ratification threshold, to enter into force in January, 2026.

Sept 2025 : A landmark UN treaty to safeguard marine biodiversity on the high seas has now met the required 60 ratifications for entry into force, clearing the way for it to take effect in January 2026. It is Morocco and Sierra Leone, who has joined the list of States ratifying on Friday, becoming the 60^th. and 61^st. parties to the pact.

The treaty, formally known as 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), was adopted by UN Member States in June 2023 after nearly two decades of negotiations.

The Agreement was adopted in New York on 19^th. June 2023 during the further resumed fifth session of the Intergovernmental conference on an international legally binding instrument 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. As per the merits of the Agreement, it was open for signature in New York on 20^th. September 2023, and remained open for signature till the end of the working hours of 20^th. September 2025.

In accordance with article 68(1) which reads as follows: “This Agreement shall enter into force 120 days after the date of deposit of the sixtieth instrument of ratification, approval, acceptance or accession“, the Treaty shall be enforced on 17^th. January 2026.

India although has signed the treaty on 25^th. September, 2024, however is yet to accept the same.

Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the development, calling it a “historic achievement for the ocean and for multilateralism. In two years, States have turned commitment into action – proving what is possible when nations unite for the common good”, he said in a statement. “As we confront the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, this agreement is a lifeline for the ocean and humanity”.

In his statement, the Secretary General said:

“Today, the Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction – the BBNJ Agreement, has reached the required threshold of ratifications for entry into force. I welcome this historic achievement for the ocean and for multilateralism. In two years, States have turned commitment into action – proving what is possible when nations unite for the common good. Covering more than two-thirds of the ocean, the Agreement sets binding rules to conserve and sustainably use marine biodiversity, share benefits more fairly, create protected areas, and advance science and capacity building. As we confront the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, this Agreement is a lifeline for the ocean and humanity. I commend all who have ratified. I urge every State to join without delay, and all partners to support a swift, full implementation”.

The pact, also called the “high seas treaty” covers two-thirds of the world’s ocean area that lies beyond national boundaries. It establishes legally binding rules to conserve and sustainably use marine biodiversity, share benefits from marine genetic resources more fairly, create protected areas, and strengthen scientific cooperation and capacity building.

UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director Inger Andersen also hailed the milestone. “Our ocean is the foundation of our very existence. Today we took an important step forward to save our ocean, and to save our future”, she said in a post on social media.

The BBNJ agreement builds on the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, regarded as the “constitution for the oceans”. Once the high seas treaty enters into force on 17 January 2026, it will provide a global framework to help achieve international biodiversity targets, including the pledge to protect 30% of land and sea areas by 2030 under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Mr. Guterres urged all remaining UN Member States to join the treaty without delay and called on partners to support its swift and full implementation. “The ocean’s health is humanity’s health”, he said.

Team Maverick