The president of the European Commission has described the formal adoption of a major treaty as a milestone for ocean conservation.

Ursula von der Leyen made her comments as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement reached 60 ratifications, triggering its entry into force in early 2026.

She added the agreement, the result of over a decade of international collaboration, represents a transformative step toward safeguarding marine ecosystems and addressing the urgent threats posed by climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss.

“The entry into force of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement marks a historic step for our planet,” von der Leyen said. “This milestone shows the power of multilateralism, as we head to New York for the UN General Assembly. We thank our UN partners for their collaboration. The EU and its Member States remain committed to the swift and ambitious implementation of the agreement. And we call on more countries to join our movement, for the universal protection of our ocean. “

One significant development is the possibility for nations to establish large-scale marine protected areas (MPAs) on the high seas – a critical measure to meet the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework’s target of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030. The treaty also foresees environmental impact assessments for economic activities in international waters, ensuring sustainable practices and minimising harm to fragile marine ecosystems.

Crucially, the agreement prioritises equity and inclusion, with dedicated support for developing countries. Developing countries will receive support to implement the agreement, through strong capacity-building initiatives and marine technology transfer programs. This assistance will be funded through a variety of public and private sources. An innovative benefit-sharing mechanism will also ensure fair access to marine genetic resources.

The agreement will officially come into effect 120 days after the 60th ratification. It will apply to all parties which have already ratified the agreement.

The EU said it is already working on a fast implementation, including supporting developing nations in building readiness for the treaty’s requirements. As part of this effort, the EU has launched a €40 million commitment through its Global Ocean Programme and is urging members of the High Ambition Coalition to contribute similarly, ensuring equitable and effective global participation in safeguarding marine ecosystems.

“The entry into force of today’s Agreement is a historic milestone for ocean governance and the EU has played a key role in achieving it,” explained Costas Kadis, EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans. “This Agreement is paramount to preserve the marine life and biodiversity that are essential for us and for the generations to come. It is also a proof of successful multilateral cooperation, showing that the world can come together and find solutions for the protection of the ocean. With 60 ratifications achieved and the entry into force, the next critical step is universal ratification to unlock the agreement’s full potential in safeguarding marine ecosystems globally.”