The Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction adopted the Agreement on the High Seas

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 (hereinfater: Agreement on the High Seas) was adopted on June 19th, 2023. This agreement represents an important step forward after many years of discussions and negotiations on the issue of conservation and sustainability in the high seas. High seas covers half of our planet and States are obliged to protect and preserve its environment in accordance with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Agreement on the High Seas acknowledges the importance of ensuring responsible use of the marine  environment, maintenance of the integrity of ocean ecosystems and conservation of the inherent value of biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction. In particular, it establihes a comprehensive system of area-based management tools, with networks of marine protected areas, it prescribes an equitable sharing of benefits derived from marine genetic resources, as well as the obligation to conduct environmental impact assesment.

Agreement on the High Seas will contribute to the achievement of goals set under the General Assembly Resolution ”Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development” of 2015. In particular, in accordance with the goal 14 ”Life below Water” of the Resolution, Agreement on the High Seas aims at preventing and reducing marine pollution of all kinds and ending overfishing as well. These goals are intended to be achieved through effective implementation of the relevant provisions of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and further international cooperation.

Additionally, Agreement on the High Seas is in accordance with the efforts of the United Nations to disseminate the scientific knowledge on oceans taking into account that the period between 2021 and 2030 is proclaimed the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. 

Agreement on the High Seas shall enter into force 120 days after the date of deposit of the sixtieth instrument of ratification, approval, acceptance or accession.