Potential surge of support for a marine treaty concerning the high seas

High Seas Treaty On the Brink of Life

The highly anticipated treaty aimed at protecting marine biodiversity on the high seas, known as the High Seas Treaty or BBNJ (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction), is inching closer to life but hasn't officially kicked off yet. After a grueling 20-year negotiation process, the treaty was adopted in 2023, and it's currently in the preparatory commission phase, where member states iron out the details. As of early April 2025, the treaty boasts 113 signatories, but only 21 have ratified it, with a minimum 60 ratifications needed for it to take effect[5].

Recent United Nations meetings in New York saw negotiators taking a significant stride towards shaping the foundational elements of the agreement, according to Nichola Clark of the Pew Charitable Trusts after the first preparatory commission. Regrettably, the treaty won't come into force before the UN Oceans Conference scheduled in Nice, France, from June 9-13, 2025[5].

As the world waits with bated breath, experts hope the 60-ratification threshold can be reached by June so the treaty can become a reality this year. The Nice summit promises to feature a gallery of heads of state and a prelude conference featuring 2,000 scientists from around 100 countries[5].

A memorable ceremony in Nice on June 9 will serve as a chance to reaffirm the collective political commitment to the treaty's implementation, as stated by Sandrine Barbier, the French delegation head[5]. Despite the enthusiasm, recent developments have caused a stir, particularly the United States' decision to stay out of the ratification process so far, despite signing on under Joe Biden's administration[5].

In an unexpected twist, Donald Trump announced his support for commercial extraction of rare earth minerals from the ocean floor, including in international waters, thereby bypassing the jurisdiction of the International Seabed Authority[5]. Greenpeace USA's campaign leader, Arlo Hemphill, slammed the move, calling it an "insult to multilateralism" and a "slap in the face" for all those championing ocean protection worldwide[5].

The global community has rallied behind a goal to protect 30% of the world's land and oceans by 2030. As the High Seas Treaty makes its way towards ratification, the eyes of the world are on the nations that hold the power to safeguard the ocean's future. Stay tuned for more updates.

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The international treaty to protect marine biodiversity on the high seas, known as the BBNJ (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction) or High Seas Treaty, has made notable progress but has not yet entered into force.
The preparatory commission sessions are ongoing throughout 2025 and 2026 to prepare for implementation[1][3][4].
The European Union has committed to ratifying the treaty before the UN Ocean Conference scheduled for June 2025, signaling strong regional support and a push toward the treaty’s enactment[2].
Scientific and technical bodies under the treaty will oversee deep-sea mining regulations, with active international participation expected, including from the United States, though detailed U.S. ratification status or policy stance is not specified in the recent data[5].
The High Seas Treaty is a significant multilateral effort to protect marine biodiversity and regulate activities like deep-sea mining beyond national jurisdiction, with ongoing international negotiations aiming to ensure robust environmental governance.

The world eagerly awaits the ratification of the High Seas Treaty, a global initiative aimed at preserving marine biodiversity on the high seas, otherwise known as BBNJ.
As of early April 2025, the treaty has 113 signatories, but only 21 have ratified it, necessitating a minimum of 60 ratifications for it to become active.
The preparatory commission phase is currently underway, with member states working diligently to iron out the treaty's details and prepare for its implementation.
The upcoming UN Oceans Conference in Nice, France, from June 9-13, 2025, promises to be a pivotal moment as experts hope the 60-ratification threshold can be reached before the conference.
The global community is rallying behind a goal to protect 30% of the world's land and oceans by 2030, and the High Seas Treaty is a key step in this ambitious endeavor.
Meanwhile, in the realm of tech and science, the global community is paying close attention to the potential regulation of deep-sea mining activities, a crucial aspect of the treaty's scope.
The ongoing political negotiations surrounding the treaty are situated within the broader context of policy-and-legislation, politics, and general-news, shaping the course of environmental-science and our collective response to climate-change.