The High Seas Treaty, also known as the Ocean Treaty, still needs the official approval of 10 countries before it can start.
This treaty will help protect parts of the ocean that are not owned by any country. These international waters make up about two-thirds of the world’s oceans.
To start the treaty, 60 countries need to approve it through a process called ratification. As of June 2025, around 50 countries have done this. Experts believe the Treaty could officially start early next year.
What the Treaty does
The Ocean Treaty, also known as the High Seas Treaty or BBNJ Treaty (short for Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction), is a United Nations agreement to protect life in the high seas, the parts of the ocean that lie beyond any one country’s borders.
The Oceans Treaty is the first international agreement to protect marine life in international waters. It will allow countries to create protected ocean areas where fishing, shipping, and deep-sea mining are limited.
Countries will also have to do environmental checks before starting new activities in these areas. It supports the global goal to protect 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030. At the moment, only about 8% is protected.
Difference between signing and ratifying
When a country signs a treaty, it shows it agrees with the idea of the Treaty. But signing is not a legal promise. Ratifying a treaty means the country fully agrees to follow it by law.
This step usually needs approval from the government or parliament. Only ratifying countries count toward the 60 needed to start the Treaty.
Which countries still need to ratify?
Some countries have not ratified the treaty yet. The United States has not even signed it. The United Kingdom has signed and says it will ratify by the end of 2025.
The Netherlands also signed the treaty but has not yet ratified it. A spokesperson for the Dutch government says they are working on it.
Other countries that have signed but not yet ratified include Canada, Argentina, Indonesia, New Zealand, and Uruguay.
What happened at the UN Ocean Summit?
In early June, world leaders met at a UN Ocean Summit in Nice, France. Twenty countries promised to ratify the treaty. French President Emmanuel Macron asked all countries to act quickly.
At the summit, countries also made other promises. Portugal said it will create a new protected area in the ocean. Ninety-six countries agreed to work on a new treaty to reduce plastic pollution.
Thirty-seven countries promised to stop deep-sea mining, which is dangerous for ocean life.
What’s next?
When 60 countries ratify the treaty, it will take 120 days before it becomes law. After that, the UN will organize a special meeting to begin putting the treaty into action.
France hopes the final ratifications will come by September 2025 so the treaty can start in early 2026.
Your support helps us share animal news
We’re an independent animal news platform based in the Netherlands. We want our coverage of animal-related issues, conservation efforts, and human impacts on wildlife to remain free for everyone.
But running an independent newsroom costs money. That’s why we need your help. Even a one-time donation of €1 or a small monthly gift can make a big difference to our work. Because we are a small news team, your support really counts.
Thank you for considering supporting us.
