UN High Seas Treaty to Enter Into Force Early 2026 After Ratification by 60 Countries

The UN High Seas Treaty, officially known as the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, has been ratified by its 60th country. That triggers its entry into force in early 2026. The treaty provides for environmental impact assessments, establishes marine protected areas even without full consensus of all states, regulates marine genetic resource access, and promotes benefit-sharing especially for developing nations. But challenges remain: enforcement, coordination with existing laws (e.g. fisheries), funding, monitoring.
Why it matters:

International waters cover huge areas — their protection is essential for marine biodiversity, climate regulation, fisheries etc.

Developing countries stand to gain from benefit-sharing and scientific collaboration.

This treaty could become a benchmark for ocean governance going forward.