Overview
- The biodiversity pact entered into force on January 17 after surpassing the 60-ratification threshold, with reports citing about 145 signatories and 81 ratifications.
- It creates binding tools for areas beyond national jurisdiction, including marine protected areas, mandatory environmental-impact assessments, rules for sharing benefits from marine genetic resources, and oversight provisions.
- Experts highlight a key shift that allows protected areas to be approved by vote rather than only by consensus, intended to prevent single-state vetoes.
- Scientists and advocates say real gains depend on active management, monitoring at sea, institutional capacity and sustained funding, noting concerns about currently weak sanctioning mechanisms.
- Germany’s government lists the country as a contracting state after cabinet approval, yet parliamentary ratification is still pending with a target before the first Ozean-COP expected in August; the United States has not joined while China is among ratifiers.