Momentum builds for high seas biodiversity treaty

UN delegates convened at UN Headquarters in New York to advance implementation of the high seas biodiversity treaty (Agreement under UNCLOS on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction).

• Main action: Delegates discussed rules of procedure, the creation and operational timing of a Clearing-House Mechanism, and the location of the treaty’s secretariat; the treaty was adopted in June 2023, is open for signature until 20 September, currently has 139 signatures and 52 ratifications (60 ratifications required for entry into force, meaning about 8 ratifications remain), and could enter into force in late 2025 or early 2026 with a possible first COP convening in 2026. The Clearing-House Mechanism was targeted to be in operation sometime in early 2026, with an informal expert group expected to be up and running by September.
• Background and other details: The session highlighted calls by small island developing States (SIDS) for guaranteed representation and virtual participation and a reserved seat allocation; the Federated States of Micronesia urged recognition of Indigenous Peoples as rights-holders. Developing country groups (G77 and China, African Group, CARICOM, Pacific SIDS) pressed that participation funding be an obligation, requesting a voluntary trust fund to cover full delegate expenses for least developed countries, landlocked states and SIDS, and opposed restrictions on states in arrears. The 2025 UN Ocean Conference in Nice generated 39 treaty actions by States.