PRESS RELEASE / High Seas Alliance / Nations prepare for its entry into force – New York, 19 June 2024: A year since the historic High Seas Treaty1 to protect biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) was formally adopted by UN Member States2 on 19 June 2023, the High Seas Alliance started the one-year countdown to reach the goal of securing the 60 ratifications needed for the Treaty to enter into force by the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in June 2025, France.
The countdown began a week before UN Member States convene at the UN Headquarters in New York to plan for the Treaty’s entry into force at the first Preparatory Commission BBNJ Agreement meeting on 24–26 June 20243.
“Today, the countdown for all nations to ratify the High Seas Treaty within a year has begun. The Treaty represents an historic step forward for humankind – it’s a momentous opportunity to protect life in the global ocean beyond our national borders. To reach our collective goal of securing the 60 ratifications needed for the Treaty to enter into force by June 2025, all nations must accelerate the Race for Ratification4 so that we can transform words into active ocean protections as soon as possible. The clock is ticking!” said Rebecca Hubbard, Director of the High Seas Alliance.
Once 60 countries ratify the High Seas Treaty, it will enter into force and become the world’s first international law to mandate the conservation and management of biodiversity beyond national jurisdictions (BBNJ), enabling the establishment of High Seas marine protected areas, and regula