Saving nature beyond borders

Zu coming into force of the High Seas Treaty under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) marks a big step forward in the effort to safeguard the oceans from climate change effects, pollution, biodiversity loss and unsustainable extraction of materials.

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Morocco became the 60th country to ratify the treaty, bringing it into force with effect from January 2026 and paving the way for the declaration of marine protected areas beyond national jurisdictions, It will take sustained action by member countries of the UNCLOS to agree on the 30%, of the oceans that are to be declared high seas sanctuaries by 2030. If achieved, this will represent a dramatic rise in protection from the existing level of 1%. Arguably, among the key provisions of the pact is the obligation placed on states and agencies undertaking nonmilitary activity in the high seas to conduct an environmental impact assessment, make that public, and advance biodiversity protection beyond national jurisdictions. In fact, countries are mandated to assess the environmental impact of their