The High Seas Treaty will enter into force in January 2026 after Morocco became the 60th country to ratify the agreement. The treaty, two decades in development, establishes legally binding rules to conserve and sustainably use marine biodiversity in international waters.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said the agreement covers more than two-thirds of the ocean, aiming to reverse decades of overfishing, pollution, and climate-related damage. Countries have pledged to protect 30% of global waters by 2030, though implementation will require proposals from states and international approval.
Environmental groups welcomed the milestone. Kirsten Schuijt, WWF director-general, described it as “a turning point” for ocean conservation, while Greenpeace International’s Mads Christensen called it a “landmark moment.” Critics note that final protections depend on national assessments, though monitoring mechanisms exist.
Source: BBC News
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