On 19 September 2025, the Agreement under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) reached 60 ratifications required to trigger its entry into force 120 days later, on 17 January 2026.
Governments adopted the BBNJ Agreement on 19 June 2023, after nearly two decades of talks. The treaty opened for signature on 20 September 2023 and remained open for signature until 20 September 2025.
Palau was the first country to deposit its instrument of ratification, approval, acceptance, or accession on 22 January 2024. Sierra Leone and Morocco, respectfully, became the 60th and 61st countries to ratify the Agreement, which currently has 145 signatures and 61 ratifications.
Negotiations are underway to prepare for the BBNJ Agreement’s entry into force and for the convening of the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 1) to the Agreement. The first session of the Preparatory Commission (PrepCom) convened in April 2025. The PrepCom’s second session took place in August 2025. The third session will be held from 23 March to 2 April 2026.
The BBNJ Agreement covers four main issues:
- Marine genetic resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits;
- Measures such as area-based management tools, including marine protected areas (MPAs);
- Environmental impact assessments (EIAs); and
- Capacity building and the transfer of marine technology.
It also addresses cross-cutting issues relevant for all four of these areas.
Once in force, the BBNJ Agreement will “enable[e] stronger international efforts to protect our ocean, mitigate climate change, and safeguard the lives and livelihoods of billions of people worldwide,” according to the High Seas Alliance.
In a statement, UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed “this historic achievement for the ocean and for multilateralism.” “In two years, States have turned commitment into action – proving what is possible when nations unite for the common good,” he said. [UN News Story] [BBNJ Agreement Website] [UN Treaty Collection: BBNJ Agreement]