After years of negotiations, the United Nations high seas treaty will enter into force in January 2026, after reaching the threshold of 60 ratifications with the accession of Morocco and Sierra Leone.
The agreement establishes binding rules to conserve and sustainably use marine biodiversity in international waters, which represent more than 60% of the ocean surface.
Ocean governance: towards equitable and sustainable management
The treaty regulates deep-sea mining and access to marine genetic resources.
Once active, the treaty will lead to the creation of an international body that must coordinate with entities such as the International Seabed Authority, responsible for defining rules for the deep-sea mining industry. While no commercial licenses have been granted yet, several countries are already exploring their exclusive economic zones.
Furthermore, principles are established to share the benefits of marine genetic resources, crucial for the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry. Countries without technological capacity hope not to be excluded from this emerging market.
Marine biodiversity and global environmental justice
The treaty aims to protect key ecosystems and ensure equity among nations.
According to António Guterres, Secretary-General of the UN, the agreement represents a crucial step forward in combating overfishing, pollution, and climate change. Ocean conservation is vital to:
- Produce oxygen: phytoplankton generates between 50% and 85% of the planet’s oxygen
- Regulate the climate: oceans absorb heat and CO₂, mitigating global warming
- Sustain biodiversity: from plankton to whales, oceans harbor thousands of species
- Provide medicine: marine depths contain valuable compounds for human health
Geopolitical challenges and global ratification
Conservationists push for broader support, while some powers resist.
As of September 2025, 143 countries had joined the treaty. Organizations like the High Seas Alliance urge for universal ratification, especially among island states, developing countries, and landlocked nations.
However, maritime powers like Russia and the United States have shown resistance: Moscow has not signed the agreement, and in Washington, its ratification is uncertain.
Why protecting the oceans is protecting life
Marine ecosystems sustain human health, the economy, and planetary balance.
- Clean water and food: oceans provide essential proteins and resources
- Economy and employment: they are key for transportation, trade, and tourism
- Global awareness: caring for the oceans is a shared responsibility
“The health of the oceans is directly linked to human health. Preserving them ensures the future of the planet.”
