Historic agreement to protect the oceans

In a recent statement, the UN Secretary-General hailed what he called a "historic achievement for the ocean and for multilateralism." The treaty, often referred to by its acronym BBNJ (Agreement relating to 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), has reached the threshold of 60 ratifications needed to enter into force. This milestone will be effective from January 17, 2026.

Adopted in June 2023, the BBNJ covers more than two-thirds of the world's oceans, a previously fragmented area. The agreement establishes a unifying framework that includes:

• Mandatory rules for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
• Marine protected areas on the high seas.
• Equitable sharing of benefits from marine genetic resources.
• Environmental impact assessment.
• Technology transfer and scientific capacity building.

The Secretary-General said: "In two years, States have transformed their commitments into action, demonstrating what is possible when nations unite for the common good."

The BBNJ's entry into force comes at a crucial time. In August, a committee met in New York to prepare for the treaty's implementation, addressing key issues such as financing, rules of procedure, and the creation of a secretariat. Adam McCarthy, co-chair of the committee, emphasized the urgency of these tasks, as the first conference of states parties to the treaty is scheduled for 2026.

The UN warns of the critical state of the oceans: less than a third of the targets of Sustainable Development Goal 14 on ocean conservation are on track. Currently, only 8% of the marine surface is protected, far from the 30% target set for 2030. In addition, the ocean absorbs approximately 90% of excess heat from greenhouse gases, leading to record temperatures and a fourth global coral bleaching event.

Small island states, on the front lines of rising sea levels, are demanding that the treaty's governance take into account their specific needs, including financial support and representation. The Federated States of Micronesia has called for recognition of the "distinct status of indigenous peoples under international law."

The United Nations Ocean Conference held in Nice in June was a political catalyst, with hundreds of voluntary commitments announced. In New York, this momentum must translate into concrete modalities for the designation of protected areas and data sharing. The future scientific information clearinghouse must guarantee equitable access to this data for all countries.

The BBNJ is not just a slogan; it is a legally binding framework to address the triple global crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. The Secretary-General emphasized that this agreement is a lifeline for the ocean and humanity. For this agreement to be effective, it is imperative to build the capacities of least developed countries and ensure their access to scientific data.

In the immediate term, António Guterres calls for a broader circle of parties and support for swift implementation. His conclusion resonates as an urgent reminder: “The health of the ocean is the health of humanity.” While the law is now in place, the real challenge begins now.