The UN Treaty on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, formally known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, officially entered into force on 17 January 2026. This landmark achievement marks a significant step in the global effort to safeguard the world’s oceans, as the treaty provides a comprehensive framework for protecting biodiversity in international waters—an area that accounts for about two-thirds of the world’s oceans.
After decades of intense negotiation, the treaty’s entry into force is seen as a major breakthrough in ocean governance. It follows years of discussions under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and sets the stage for coordinated international action to tackle challenges such as overfishing, marine pollution, and habitat destruction that have long plagued the high seas.
As of January 2026, over 80 countries have ratified the agreement, including major maritime nations such as China, Japan, and Brazil. This broad participation underscores a collective recognition of the urgency to protect ocean ecosystems and signals growing global support for conservation efforts that transcend national borders. This milestone is significant, given that international waters have historically lacked a robust regulatory framework to address the environmental challenges they face.
A New Era for Ocean Protection
At the core of the UN Treaty is the creation of marine protected areas (MPAs). These zones will restrict harmful activities such as overfishing, mining, and pollution in specific regions of the high seas. By designating these areas, the treaty aims to preserve critical habitats and help replenish marine life. The treaty is aligned with the international goal of protecting 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030, a target that has gained momentum in recent years among environmental and conservation groups.
In addition to establishing MPAs, the treaty addresses marine genetic resources, which refer to biological material obtained from the oceans, including deep-sea organisms. Nations will share the benefits derived from scientific discoveries and commercial opportunities related to these resources. This provision ensures that all countries, particularly developing ones, have equitable access to the resources and opportunities arising from marine biodiversity.
Beyond protection, the treaty introduces new regulations for shipping, fishing, and deep-sea mining activities in international waters. For decades, these industries have operated with minimal oversight, leading to significant environmental degradation. The treaty’s regulations will require nations to implement stricter measures to minimize harm to marine ecosystems while ensuring sustainable use of ocean resources.
International Cooperation for Global Impact
The UN Treaty underscores the importance of global collaboration to address ocean health, which cannot be managed by individual countries alone. The treaty provides a framework for nations to work together to implement sustainable practices and ensure the health of marine ecosystems. This collaborative approach is essential because threats to the oceans, such as overfishing and pollution, often transcend national borders and require coordinated action from the global community.
Nations will meet regularly at Conferences of the Parties to discuss progress, resolve disputes, and agree on how to expand and enforce marine protections. Experts from international organizations, scientists, and civil society groups will play a key role in monitoring compliance and helping countries implement the treaty’s provisions effectively.
The treaty is also seen as a critical example of multilateralism in action. With the growing number of global environmental challenges, it demonstrates that nations can set aside differences and work together toward a common goal. Protecting the oceans, the planet’s largest and most vital ecosystem, is a shared responsibility that transcends politics and borders.
Challenges in Implementation
Despite its promising provisions, the UN Treaty faces significant challenges in its implementation. One of the main obstacles will be monitoring vast areas of international waters, which are difficult to patrol due to their size and the absence of clear jurisdiction. Unlike national waters, the high seas are not governed by any single nation, making enforcement a complex task.
Compliance monitoring will require substantial resources and international cooperation. Many countries will need to strengthen their environmental governance frameworks, particularly in terms of data collection, surveillance, and enforcement mechanisms. Monitoring will also require the involvement of independent scientific bodies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), whose expertise in ocean conservation will be crucial in ensuring that the treaty’s goals are met.
Another challenge is funding. Developing countries, which often lack the resources to fulfill their obligations under international treaties, have stressed the need for financial support and technology transfer. Without the necessary funding, the treaty’s provisions may be difficult for some nations to implement effectively, particularly in terms of protecting marine resources and sharing benefits from marine genetic resources.