Nations Ratify World’s First Treaty to Protect International Waters

Erin Araneta

Staff Writer

With the 60th country ratifying the High Seas Treaty on Friday, September 19, nations around the world have ratified the world’s first treaty to protect international waters. With growing risks that can potentially damage marine ecosystems, the treaty, which is two decades in the making, is a testament to global collaboration and efforts towards conserving marine life. 

Accounting for nearly two-thirds of the ocean and nearly half of the planet’s surface, international waters have remained without a regulatory legal framework, endangering marine ecosystems and biodiversity. Formally known as the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, the treaty establishes enormous conservation zones in international waters, where decades of climate change, pollution, and overfishing have taken a toll on marine ecosystems. 

Officially taking effect in 120 days, the High Seas Treaty allows countries to propose areas to be protected, subject to approval by a vote of the signatory states. Additionally, decisions will be made multilaterally through conferences of parties, instead of individual countries acting alone. 

Prior to the treaty’s ratification, only 1 percent of the high seas – the world’s national and international waters – were protected, leaving marine life highly vulnerable to overexploitation. According to BBC News, environmentalists hail the treaty as a monumental achievement and as proof that countries can cooperate to better environmental protection. The treaty is part of a series of steps taken by countries around the world towards the “30×30” target, an international goal to safeguard 30 percent of Earth’s land and waters by 2030. 

The President of Palau, Surangel S. Whipps Jr., the leader of the first country to ratify the treaty in January 2024,  expressed his optimism for the treaty, saying, “Together, we are protecting marine biodiversity, advancing climate action, and ensuring that our ocean remains healthy and resilient for generations to come.” According to a press release from the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the United Nations is currently laying the groundwork for the institutions and processes that will guide the first Conference of Parties. 

The strength of the agreement remains uncertain, however, as key global powers have yet to ratify the treaty, including the United States, China, Russia, and Japan. According to The Associated Press, the U.S. and China have expressed their intent to support the treaty’s aims through signing, though without taking on legal obligations, while Japan and Russia have been active in preparatory talks. The U.S. signed the treaty under the Biden administration, contributing significantly to its drafting, whereas the Trump administration was not involved to the same extent. Among the G7, only France has ratified the treaty, due to its governance of island territories, according to The New York Times. 

Countries that ratify the treaty, including developing nations, are set to benefit from this international collaboration, as the agreement creates a framework for technology-sharing, funding mechanisms, and scientific collaboration among countries, according to The Associated Press. 

According to ABC News, environmental groups continue to advocate for more countries to ratify the treaty, stating that the treaty’s implementation grows stronger and more representative as more countries ratify it. Voting rights on foundational decisions will be reserved for countries that ratify prior to the first conference. Direct enforcement of the treaty is limited, as the ratifying countries are committing to treat it as law. However, they may act collectively to encourage non-ratifying countries to respect their provisions. 

While it marks a historic step toward protecting the biodiversity of the world’s oceans, the High Seas Treaty’s success will depend on widespread ratification and effective implementation. As nations move forward, the treaty’s true impact will be measured by how well global commitments translate into lasting protections for marine ecosystems.

Image courtesy of Getty Images.