100 Countries Unite to Protect the High Seas

More than 100 countries have joined the landmark High Seas Treaty, strengthening global cooperation to protect marine biodiversity across international waters covering nearly half the planet’s surface.

“For the High Seas Treaty, it marks the real momentum of the world uniting around ocean protection, even in divided times,” says Rebecca Hubbard, Director of the High Seas Alliance.

The treaty, which entered into force on 17 January 2026 after nearly two decades of negotiations, establishes the first comprehensive legal framework for protecting marine life beyond national waters. Recent ratifications by Germany, Canada, Australia and several other countries have brought participation past the 100-country milestone, well above the 60 required for the agreement to take effect. The first Conference of the Parties, scheduled for January 2027, will focus on establishing rules for creating marine protected areas and assessing environmental impacts. The agreement represents a major step towards safeguarding ocean ecosystems, restoring marine biodiversity and advancing global conservation goals for 2030.