Entry into force of the BBNJ Agreement
The Agreement on Marine Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) officially entered into force on 17 January 2026, after achieving the 60 ratifications required for its activation. This milestone marks a significant step forward in global ocean governance and the protection of marine ecosystems in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ).
The Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction is also known as the High Seas Treaty or Ocean Biodiversity Treaty. Adopted on 19 June 2023, the Treaty protects the deep sea through conservation measures like marine protected areas and promotes equity through rules about sharing the benefits from research on marine genetic resources (MGR) of ABNJ.
It entered into force after achieving the 60 ratifications required for its activation, which will enable us to:
- Establish marine protected areas (MPAs) in the high seas
- Regulate access to and use of MGRs
- Require environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for current and future human activities
- Support developing countries through capacity‑building initiatives and marine technology transfer programmes
MARBLES partners have been actively contributing to the effective implementation of the Agreement through policy briefs, workshops, and conference presentations designed to support policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders navigating this new governance landscape. They will continue this work, notably with the upcoming third BBNJ Preparatory Commission taking place from 23 March to 2 April 2026 in New York, USA.