The High Seas 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), represents a significant milestone in international efforts to protect and sustainably manage the world’s oceans. Adopted on June 19, 2023, this historic agreement aims to address environmental degradation and biodiversity loss in the high seas, which cover nearly two-thirds of the global ocean.
Key Objectives and Provisions
The treaty focuses on four main areas:
1. Marine Genetic Resources: Establishes a framework for fair and equitable sharing of benefits derived from marine genetic resources found in the high seas[3].
2. Area-Based Management Tools: Provides a legal pathway for establishing marine protected areas (MPAs) in the high seas, supporting the goal of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030[1].
3. Environmental Impact Assessments: Introduces a new framework for conducting environmental impact assessments for activities in the high seas[1].
4. Capacity Building and Technology Transfer: Promotes equity by supporting developing countries in participating in high seas conservation and research efforts[3].
Global Cooperation and Implementation
The High Seas Treaty emphasizes the need for international cooperation to effectively manage and conserve marine biodiversity. Key aspects include:
– Establishing a Conference of the Parties and various subsidiary bodies to oversee implementation[6].
– Creating a Clearing-House Mechanism to facilitate information sharing and cooperation[6].
– Setting up a funding mechanism to support treaty implementation, particularly for developing countries[5].
Significance for Ocean Conservation
This agreement addresses a critical gap in ocean protection, as currently only about 1% of the high seas is protected[5]. By providing a framework for establishing MPAs and conducting environmental impact assessments, the treaty offers tools to safeguard some of the largest reservoirs of biodiversity on Earth[3].
Current Status and Future Outlook
As of March 11, 2025:
– The treaty is open for signature until September 20, 2025[6].
– It will enter into force 120 days after the 60th ratification[6].
– There is hope that the treaty will be in force by the June 2025 UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France[5].
The High Seas Treaty represents a significant step towards achieving global ocean sustainability. By fostering international cooperation and providing mechanisms for equitable resource sharing and conservation, it offers a promising framework for protecting the vast and vital ecosystems of the high seas for current and future generations.
Read More
[1] https://www.nature.org/en-us/what-we-do/our-insights/perspectives/ten-things-high-seas-treaty/
[2] https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/new-landmark-united-nations-agreement-conservation-and-sustainable-use-marine-biodiversity-high-seas
[3] https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/issue-briefs/2024/08/inside-the-new-high-seas-treaty
[4] https://www.unep.org/topics/ocean-seas-and-coasts/blue-ecosystems/high-seas
[5] https://oceans-and-fisheries.ec.europa.eu/news/win-ocean-high-seas-treaty-signed-united-nations-2023-09-20_en
[6] https://www.un.org/bbnjagreement/en
[7] https://www.nature.com/articles/s44183-023-00013-x
[8] https://iucn.org/resources/grey-literature/high-seas-biodiversity-treaty-policy-brief
[9] https://www.arcticwwf.org/newsroom/features/the-high-seas-treaty-what-does-it-mean-for-the-arctic/