Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: Israeli Prime Minister's Office: The security cabinet has approved Netanyahu's proposal on Gaza.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: The Lebanese Council of Ministers approved the general objectives of the US paper unanimously by the ministers who remained in the session.
Hezbollah, Amal Movement ministers withdraw from the Lebanese cabinet session as it discusses the proposal of US envoy Tom Barrack.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: An Israeli drone bombed a car in the town of Kfardan in the Baalbek district.
Al Mayadeen’s correspondent: An Israeli raid targeted the outskirts of the town of al-Qatrani, Jezzine District
Al Mayadeen’s correspondent: Israeli warplanes launch a raid targeting the vicinity of the Burguz area
Al Mayadeen’s correspondent in southern Lebanon: An Israeli airstrike targeted the outskirts of Jbaa in the Iqlim al-Tuffah region
Al Mayadeen’s correspondent in southern Lebanon: An Israeli airstrike targeted the outskirts of the town of Ansar
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in southern Lebanon: Israeli warplanes launched a series of airstrikes on the al-Mahmoudiyah area
New York Times: Trump plans to meet with Putin as soon as next week

UN global ocean treaty to enter into force in 2026

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 10 Jun 2025 08:57
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

Over 60 countries will ratify the UN Global Ocean Treaty in 2025, enabling historic marine protection and high seas regulation from January 2026.

Listen
  • x
  • Coral is visible in the protected area of France’s Porquerolles National Park ahead of the U.N. Ocean Conference on Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Annika Hammerschlag)
    Coral is visible in the protected area of France’s Porquerolles National Park ahead of the UN Ocean Conference on Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP)

More than 60 countries have pledged to ratify the UN Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction by the end of 2025, paving the way for its official entry into force on January 1, 2026, according to French President Emmanuel Macron.

Speaking during a press conference at the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, Macron said the growing number of ratifications signals a turning point in the global effort to safeguard marine biodiversity.

"We currently have 55 ratifications, about 15 intentions to ratify with a specific date, and another 15 countries that intend to do so by the end of the year. Thus, by the [80th session] of the UN General Assembly [in September], at least 60 necessary ratifications will be submitted to the UN, which allows us to confidently speak about the entry into force of the agreement," Macron stated.

The marine biodiversity treaty aims to create a legally binding framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceanic regions that lie outside national jurisdictions. Macron emphasized that once the agreement comes into force, “we will finally be able to protect it and fight illegal fishing.”

Treaty aims to designate 30% of world’s oceans as protected by 2030

Negotiated over several years and finalized by the United Nations in March 2023, the ocean conservation agreement seeks to designate 30% of the world’s oceans as protected areas by 2030. The treaty is seen as a significant step toward achieving high seas protection through coordinated international action.

By establishing global mechanisms to regulate maritime activity, the treaty is also intended to deter illegal fishing and support the restoration of marine flora and fauna. With strong backing from member states and growing momentum in international environmental diplomacy, the UN Global Ocean Treaty represents a cornerstone in long-term efforts to address threats to ocean health.

Formally known as the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction, it is the first legally binding agreement designed to conserve marine biodiversity in international waters, areas which constitute about two-thirds of the world’s oceans and nearly half the planet’s surface. Until now, no global framework existed to regulate activities such as deep-sea mining and fishing in these vast, unregulated waters.

High Seas treaty gains momentum

The surge in support for the treaty has raised hopes that 2025 could mark a turning point for high-seas protection.

“To reach 60 ratifications would be an absolutely enormous achievement, but for the treaty to be as effective as possible, we need countries from all over the world to engage in its implementation,” said Rebecca Hubbard, director of the High Seas Alliance, as reported by the Associated Press (AP). “So the next step will be to go from 60 to global.” 

“We’re on the brink of making high seas history,” Hubbard said.

Achieving 60 ratifications will trigger a 120-day countdown toward activation, after which the first Conference of the Parties (COP1) must be held within a year to finalize governance and implementation, according to The Guardian.

The treaty empowers nations to establish marine protected areas, coordinate scientific collaboration, and regulate harmful practices. 

  • Marine Biodiversity Treaty
  • High Seas Protection
  • Illegal Fishing
  • Ocean Conservation Agreement
  • UN Ocean Conference 2025

Most Read

Shiekh Naim Qassem giving a speech commemorating the anniversay of martyr Mohammed Saeed Izadi, August 5, 2025, in Lebanon

Sheikh Qassem threatens 'Israel', warns against foreign intervention

  • Politics
  • 5 Aug 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025
Hezbollah says disarming Resistance is a blow to Lebanon’s sovereignty

Hezbollah to overlook cabinet decision; Amal urges corrective approach

  • Politics
  • 6 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Lebanese president Joseph Aoun, centre, leads a Cabinet meeting which is supposed to discuss the disarmament of Hezbollah, at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, August 7, 2025 (Lebanese Presidency press office)
Politics

Hezbollah, Amal ministers walk out of cabinet over US disarmament plot

Trucks carrying humanitarian aid, line up as they wait to enter Rafah crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Khaled Elfiqi)
Politics

Only 188 of 800 promised aid trucks entered Gaza: Euractiv

Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India listens to Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer as they meet for bilateral talks at Chequers near Aylesbury, England, Thursday, July 24, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Trump doubles tariffs on India over Russian oil despite partnership

Ansar Allah leader Sayyed Abdul-Malik Al-Houthi during a speech in Sanaa, Yemen, August 7, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)\
Politics

Al-Houthi slams Gaza blockade, warns against disarmament, aggression

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS