The Pew Charitable Trusts today applauded a major milestone in a United Nations treaty designed to protect the abundant marine life and ecosystems of the high seas, the two-thirds of the ocean beyond any nation’s jurisdiction. On 19 September 2025, the United Nations received the 60th ratification of the treaty, triggering a process for the agreement to enter into force.
The historic treaty – officially the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction, also known as the BBNJ Agreement – was the result of more than two decades of negotiations. It was adopted by consensus in June 2023 and opened for signature and ratification in September 2023. The agreement required ratification by 60 countries before it could enter into force.
