The Highs of the High Seas Treaty

In September 2025, the High Seas Treaty finally reached sixty ratifications to implement crucial ocean guidelines in January 2026. The treaty is an international agreement that paves new arrangements for marine protection in open seas. It also implies a series of rules on the sustainable and fair use of the international waters. Overall, it is a milestone for the future of the Earth’s oceans; however, it took longer than a couple of months to be executed. 

The idea for a treaty was actually proposed nearly two decades ago, but it did not get formally accepted until December 24, 2017. On that date, the United Nations (UN) adopted Resolution 72/249, “to convene an intergovernmental conference and undertake formal negotiations for a new international legally binding instrument (ILBI or treaty) under the UN Convention for the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) for the conservation and sustainable development of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.”This was the first step in the right direction to create the High Seas Treaty.

Since then, five separate United Nations (UN) negotiations occurred to try to facilitate a positive consensus on the treaty. Three were held before the COVID-19 pandemic; the next two were postponed due to the pandemic. Finally, on March 24, 2023, the world’s governments agreed on what issues to highlight in the finalized treaty. It marked the first significant step for international ocean climate improvements.

The ocean is the largest ecosystem on the Earth; 70% of the planet is covered in ocean water. In recent years, research has consistently shown that the oceans are experiencing negative climate change. Temperatures are increasing, the water is rising, and marine life is dying — humanity has to take action now. That is why when the High Seas Treaty received its final ratification from Morocco in September 2025, climate advocates celebrated. 

The High Seas Treaty is starting a new wave of hope around the globe. It shows not only civilians but leaders of society’s most developed countries, an optimistic perspective. While it is only one thing, it gives many hope that more treaties and agreements are to come. It proves that humanity can truly assist the world in climate recovery, and that the future of the largest ecosystem on the planet is bright.