Global High Seas Biodiversity Treaty (BBNJ) Comes into Force

On 17th January 2026, a landmark global treaty to protect biodiversity in the high seas has come into force, providing a legally binding framework to tackle threats such as overfishing and to achieve the target of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030.

Key Points:

About the Treaty: The treaty, formally known as Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), governs ocean areas beyond national jurisdictions, which account for nearly two-thirds of the world’s oceans.
Negotiation Timeline: The BBNJ treaty was finalised in March 2023 after 15 years of negotiations under the framework of the United Nations.
Legal Significance: It establishes the first comprehensive legal regime for the high seas, covering nearly half of the planet’s surface.
Marine Protected Areas: The treaty enables the creation of a global network of marine protected areas (MPAs) in previously unregulated international waters.
Entry into Force: The treaty entered into force after crossing the threshold of 60 national ratifications on September 19, triggering formal implementation after 120 days.
Current Ratification Status: Ratifications have now exceeded 80 countries, including China, Brazil, and Japan. Britain and Australia are expected to ratify soon, while the United States has signed but not yet ratified the treaty.
Environmental Safeguards: Member states are required to conduct environmental impact assessments for activities that may affect marine ecosystems.
Blue Economy Provisions: The treaty creates mechanisms for equitable sharing of benefits from marine genetic resources, including their use in biotechnology and other industries.