Overview
- The BBNJ agreement became international law on January 17, creating the first binding framework to conserve biodiversity in waters beyond national jurisdiction.
- More than 80 countries have ratified the treaty, including China, Brazil and Japan, while the United States and several Anglophone countries remain signatories without ratification.
- Covering roughly two-thirds of the ocean—about half the planet’s surface—the treaty enables high-seas marine protected areas, requires environmental impact assessments and establishes benefit-, technology- and capacity-sharing for marine genetic resources.
- Seabed mining remains under the International Seabed Authority, underscoring the need for coordination on enforcement and oversight across existing ocean governance bodies.
- Countries now begin setting up a secretariat and scientific bodies and preparing proposals for protected areas, with a preparatory session due in late March and a first Conference of the Parties expected within a year; only about 1% of international waters are currently protected.