On September 19, 2025, the treaty, formally known as the Agreement under the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ agreement) secured 60 ratifications, followed by the ratification of Morocco.
- With this move, the BBNJ agreement will come into force on 17 January 2026.
Exam Hints:
- What? BBNJ agreement received 60 ratifications
- When? On September 19, 2025
- Who? Morocco is the 60th country to ratify
- Minimum Requirement: 60
- Effective: From January 2026
- Ratified Countries: 61
- Signed Countries: 145
Background:
Working Group: In 2004, the UN General Assemble (GA) established the Ad Hoc Open-ended Informal Working Group to study marine biological diversity beyond national jurisdiction. It held 9 sessions between 2006 and 2015.
- In 2013, the Group made recommendations to develop a new international agreement under the UN Convention on the Law of Sea.
Preparatory Committee: In 2015, UNGA agreed to create the agreement and set up a Preparatory Committee to suggest key elements of the treaty. It was convened four times from 2016 to 2017 and submitted the reports to UNGA in 2017.
Adoption: On 19 June 2023, the UNGA adopted the BBNJ agreement through a consensus decision.
BBNJ Treaty:
High Seas: The BBNJ treaty (also known as High Seas treaty) is the first legally binding international framework aimed at protecting marine biodiversity in the high seas, encompassing two-thirds of the world’s oceans. The treaty focuses on:
- Establishing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in international waters
- Conducting Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) for activities that may affect the high seas
- Ensuring equitable sharing of benefits arising from marine genetic resources
- Facilitating scientific cooperation and capacity-building for all countries.
Sign & Ratification: As of September 2025, the BBNJ Agreement has been signed by 145 countries and ratified by 61 countries, following the ratification of Sierra.
- On September 25, 2024, India signed the treaty but has not ratified.
Significance: On 17 January 2026, the treaty will enter into force after 120 days, following the deposit of 60th ratification, the minimum threshold for enforcement.
Implementation: The implementation of the BBNJ treaty will be overseen by a Conference of the Parties (COP), which will serve as the central decision-making body.
- A Preparatory Commission (PrepCom) has been established to organize the first meeting of COP, scheduled for 2026.
About Morocco:
Prime Minister (PM) – Aziz Akhannouch
Capital – Rabat
Currency – Moroccan Dirhan, MAD
