The Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) entered into force on 17 January 2026.
According to the IMO, which welcomed its entry into force, it brings into effect legally-binding rules for the sustainable use and management of marine resources on the High Seas (i.e. those areas beyond national jurisdictions (i.e. over 200 nautical miles from the baseline under UNCLOS).
The treaty addresses:
- Marine genetic resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits
- Measures such as area-based management tools, including marine protected areas
- Environmental impact assessments; and
- Capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology
Welcoming this milestone, IMO Secretary-General Mr. Arsenio Dominguez said:
“The world has demonstrated that countries can come together with a common vision and build a framework to manage the ocean sustainably while ensuring its benefits are shared fairly amongst all humanity. Now we must continue working together to put these rules into action. IMO is ready to support the BBNJ implementation within IMO’s sphere of expertise.”
