Global Oceans Treaty Achieves Threshold to Come Into Force

The High Seas Treaty received its 60th ratification by Morocco on Friday, meaning that it will become international law from January. By any measure, this is very good news.

High Seas Treaty can now become international law

The deal, which has been two decades in the making, will pave the way for international waters to be placed into marine protected areas. Environmentalists heralded the milestone as a "monumental achievement" and evidence that countries can work together for environmental protection.

"Covering more than two-thirds of the ocean, the agreement sets binding rules to conserve and sustainably use marine biodiversity," United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said.

The ocean is crucial for the survival of all organisms on the planet. It is the largest ecosystem and provides up to 80 percent of the oxygen we breathe.

Three years ago, countries agreed that 30 percent of the world's national and international waters - the high seas - must be protected by 2030 to help depleted marine life recover. But protecting the high seas is challenging. No one country controls these waters and all nations have a right to ship and fish there. Currently just 1 percent of the high seas are protected, leaving marine life at risk of overexploitation.

So, in 2023, countries signed the High Seas Treaty, pledging to put 30 percent of these waters into Marine Protected Areas. But it was only able to enter force if more than 60 nations ratified it - meaning they agreed to be legally bound by it.

Kirsten Schuijt, director-general of the World Wide Fund for Nature, hailed "a monumental achievement for ocean conservation" after the treaty threshold was reached. She added: "The High Seas Treaty will be a positive catalyst for collaboration across international waters and agreements and is a turning point for two-thirds of the world's ocean that lie beyond national jurisdiction."

Mads Christensen, executive director of Greenpeace International, called it "a landmark moment" and "proof that countries can come together to protect our blue planet".

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