The EU and six nations ratified the UN High Seas Treaty to protect oceans beyond national borders.
The European Union (EU) and six of its member states have officially ratified the UN High Seas Treaty, marking a major step forward in efforts to protect the world’s oceans. The treaty, finalized in 2023, focuses on conserving marine areas beyond national borders—regions that currently lack strong legal protections.
This development brings the total number of ratifications to 28, nearly halfway to the 60 required for the treaty to take effect. The EU hopes more countries will ratify the treaty before the upcoming UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France, scheduled for early June.
The UN High Seas Treaty is an international agreement aimed at protecting marine biodiversity in areas outside of national jurisdictions. These “high seas” make up about two-thirds of the world’s ocean surface, yet less than 1% of this area is currently protected by law. Without regulation, these waters are vulnerable to overfishing, pollution, and environmental damage from shipping and climate change.
Adopted by the United Nations in June 2023, the treaty allows countries to establish marine protected areas in the high seas and introduces tools to manage ocean resources more sustainably. It also supports the global goal of protecting at least 30% of the ocean by 2030.
The high seas are essential to global health. They regulate weather patterns, absorb carbon dioxide, and support marine life that many communities rely on for food and income. However, their remote location and lack of oversight have made them a target for overuse.
By enabling legally binding rules for conservation and management, the UN High Seas Treaty can help stop habitat destruction, reduce biodiversity loss, and create more sustainable ocean economies. For example, protected areas could act like underwater national parks, helping fish populations recover and preserving coral reefs.
In May, the EU joined Cyprus, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Portugal, and Slovenia in ratifying the treaty. France and Spain ratified it earlier this year. These ratifications follow an April 2024 proposal from the European Commission, which outlined how the treaty would be incorporated into European law.
The treaty is a “mixed agreement,” meaning it requires ratification not only by the EU as a whole but also by each individual member state. So far, 115 countries have signed the treaty, indicating their intention to ratify; however, formal approval from national governments is still required for it to be binding.
To take effect, the UN High Seas Treaty must be ratified by 60 parties. With 28 now confirmed, the process is moving forward, but much work remains. Environmental groups and international organizations are urging other countries to act quickly, hoping to reach the required number before the UN Ocean Conference.
Supporters argue that passing the treaty into law would not only protect ecosystems but also help fight climate change. Ocean conservation helps reduce carbon in the atmosphere and protects communities from the impacts of sea-level rise and extreme weather associated with global warming.
The EU has taken a leadership position in global environmental efforts, and its ratification of the UN High Seas Treaty reflects its commitment to international conservation goals. Officials believe the move will encourage other countries to follow suit.
According to Nathalie Rey, a regional coordinator for the High Seas Alliance, the EU’s decision sends a strong message that ocean protection is not optional—it’s a necessity. She called the ratification a “powerful acceleration” toward making the treaty a part of international law.
If 32 more countries ratify the treaty, it will come into force, providing a legal framework for protecting vulnerable marine environments. Countries will then be able to create and manage high seas protected areas, regulate commercial activity, and share research and benefits from marine genetic resources.
This shift could transform the way the world utilises ocean resources, prioritising long-term sustainability over short-term gains. Scientists, conservationists, and many governments see the UN High Seas Treaty as a key tool in fighting global biodiversity loss and ensuring the ocean remains healthy for future generations.
While the treaty focuses on areas far from shore, the health of the high seas affects life everywhere. Oceans influence climate, support global fisheries, and even provide compounds used in medicines. Damage to the ocean doesn’t stay isolated—it comes back to impact weather, food supply, and livelihoods around the world.
By ratifying the UN High Seas Treaty, the EU is helping to protect these global benefits. The treaty establishes a legal framework for cooperation, oversight, and long-term planning in areas of the ocean that have often been exploited without consequence.
