High Five for High Seas

COUNTRIES RATIFY GLOBAL OCEAN PROTECTION

Following what President Macron described as an "unprecedented mobilisation" for oceans that happened during the UN World Ocean Conference in Nice between 8th -13th June 2025, more than 60 governments have since ratified the Global Ocean Treaty.

The deal, which received its 60th signature on 20th September 2025, means that the High Seas Treaty, signed in 2023, pledging to put 30% of the world's high seas that need protecting, into Marine Protected Areas by 2030 is now legally binding. This significant victory for ocean protection and restoration will come into force in early 2026!

For the first time, governments have a legal framework to create 'High Seas sanctuaries' - vast marine protected areas outside of any country's national waters, covering more than two thirds of the ocean where fragile ecosystems and wildlife can recover and thrive, areas which are also crucial in helping us tackle the climate crisis and for safeguarding food security for billions of people.

"The ocean's health is humanity's health," said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres who welcomed the development, also calling it an "historic achievement for the ocean and for multilateralism."

The treaty will enter into force on 17th January 2026.