Belongs to all of us': How the High Seas Treaty is shaping global waters

The High Seas Treaty marks a watershed by entering into force on 17 January 2026, protecting two-thirds of the global ocean. The BBNJ agreement is the first binding instrument focused on biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction and has won ratification from 89 countries, with 60 needed for activation. Previously, high seas governance was a patchwork, with disparate bodies overseeing shipping, fisheries and exploitation. The treaty aims to close gaps amid threats from overfishing, plastic pollution, deep-sea mining and climate change, and to promote cooperation across frameworks like the Barcelona Convention and regional fisheries bodies.