January 17, 2026, marked the beginning of a decisive new era for French Polynesia. The entry into force of the BBNJ treaty enshrines the Fenua's status as a major oceanic state. The Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) has entered into force, finally providing the international community with an operational legal framework to protect the high seas, this shared space beginning where our exclusive economic zones (EEZs) end.
Adopted on June 19, 2023, under the auspices of the United Nations, the text crossed the threshold of 60 ratifications required in September 2025, driven by the momentum of the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) last June, thus triggering its implementation. Beyond the diplomatic victory, this agreement enshrines for French Polynesia the recognition of its status as a major oceanic state.
