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High Seas Treaty Inches Closer to Entry Into Force with 49 Ratifications

UN delegates hope the final 11 ratifications will trigger a 120-day countdown to bring the treaty into force.

Coral is visible in the protected area of France's Porquerolles National Park ahead of the U.N. Ocean Conference on Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Annika Hammerschlag)
A painted comber swims in the protected area of France's Port-Cros National Park ahead of the U.N. Ocean Conference, Saturday, June 7, 2025, (AP Photo/Annika Hammerschlag)
People enjoy the beach as vessels sail during the "Ocean Wonders" themed event in honor of World Oceans Day ahead of the U.N. Ocean Conference on Sunday, June 8, 2025, in Nice, France. (AP Photo/Annika Hammerschlag)
Mountains are reflected in the waters of France's Port-Cros National Park ahead of the U.N. Ocean Conference, Saturday, June 7, 2025, (AP Photo/Annika Hammerschlag)

Overview

  • As of June 9, 49 countries have ratified the High Seas Treaty, leaving 11 more ratifications needed to reach the 60 required to trigger its 120-day entry-into-force countdown.
  • The treaty will enable the creation of marine protected areas in international waters and establish frameworks for environmental impact assessments, technology sharing and scientific collaboration.
  • The UN Ocean Conference in Nice secured 18 new ratifications this week, bringing fresh momentum to efforts to safeguard two-thirds of the planet’s oceans.
  • President Emmanuel Macron and UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged an international moratorium on deep-sea mining and noted that key states such as the United States have yet to commit.
  • Implementation will depend on setting up governance bodies, funding mechanisms and cross-border cooperation to help achieve the global target of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030.