2026
The High Seas Treaty, or the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement (BBNJ), is a legal framework for countries to protect and conserve marine biodiversity in international waters. This briefing explores the BBNJ and its implications.
The agreement officially came into force on January 17, 2026, and has since been ratified by 93 countries. With the “high seas” covering over two-thirds of the ocean, the agreement is hailed as a significant step towards the UN 30×30 goal of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030. As the agreement supports key initiatives like Area-Based Management Tools (ABMTs) and the equitable sharing of benefits from Marine Genetic Resources, it has serious implications for marine security, the global trade regime and broader ocean governance.
Ahead of the first BBNJ COP1 proceedings, it becomes necessary to understand these implications including the limitations of the treaty, and how the framework can be strengthened to achieve its goal.
