How a global treaty is bringing control to international waters

The High Seas Treaty entered into force on 17 January 2026, protecting two-thirds of the planet's ocean. The BBNJ agreement is the first binding framework dedicated to biodiversity beyond national waters and was ratified by 89 countries, with 60 needed to activate it. Negotiations involved more than 190 nations. Previously, high seas governance was fragmented among shipping and fisheries bodies, often prioritizing extraction. The treaty addresses threats from overfishing, plastic pollution, deep-sea mining, and climate change. The final text was agreed in 2023 after two decades of talks and pandemic delays, with France among leaders pushing momentum.