United Nations: A landmark United Nations treaty aimed at protecting marine life in international waters officially came into force on Friday, marking a major step in global efforts to safeguard the world’s oceans.
The agreement, known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction treaty, creates the first legally binding framework to conserve marine biodiversity in areas of the ocean that lie outside national boundaries. These high seas cover nearly two thirds of the world’s oceans and have long lacked strong environmental protection.
The treaty became international law after more than 60 countries ratified it, a threshold reached late last year following years of negotiations that began over a decade ago. Since then, additional countries have joined, reflecting growing international support for stronger ocean governance.
One of the central goals of the treaty is to help the world meet the target of protecting at least 30 percent of the oceans by 2030. At present, only about 8 percent of marine areas are under some form of protection, leaving large ecosystems vulnerable to overfishing, pollution and climate change.
Under the new framework, countries can propose and establish marine protected areas in international waters. The treaty also introduces rules requiring environmental impact assessments for activities that could harm ocean ecosystems, such as large scale fishing operations or industrial projects.
Another key element of the agreement is the fair sharing of benefits from marine genetic resources. These resources, found in deep sea organisms, are increasingly valuable for research in medicine, cosmetics and biotechnology. The treaty aims to ensure that benefits from such discoveries are shared more equitably, particularly with developing nations.
While the treaty is being widely welcomed as a breakthrough, experts caution that its success will depend on how quickly countries turn commitments into action. Establishing protected areas, funding conservation efforts and ensuring compliance on the high seas will remain significant challenges.
The treaty does not regulate deep sea mining, which continues to fall under the authority of the International Seabed Authority, but supporters say it still represents a turning point in international cooperation on ocean protection.
Environmental groups and UN officials have described the treaty’s entry into force as the beginning of a new era for the world’s oceans, stressing that strong implementation over the coming years will be crucial to reversing the rapid loss of marine biodiversity.