France Confirms Ratification of High Seas Treaty as Global Environmental Commitment
Emmanuel Macron announces France's commitment to ratifying the high seas treaty during the UN Ocean Conference.
Key Points
- • The high seas treaty is aimed at protecting biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
- • It has received 116 signatures and about 50 ratifications to date.
- • Implementation will depend on future COP meetings to establish marine protected areas.
- • The treaty emphasizes fair sharing of benefits from marine genetic resources, particularly for developing nations.
During the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, held from June 9 to 13, 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that the international treaty aimed at protecting the high seas will soon achieve enough ratifications to take effect. "The high seas treaty will be ratified by sufficient countries to come into force," Macron stated, emphasizing France's commitment to marine biodiversity preservation.
The treaty, adopted by UN member states in June 2023, is designed to conserve and sustainably use marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, which encompasses nearly half of the planet. It applies specifically to the high seas, extending beyond the 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zones and including deep-sea environments.
The treaty's implementation is set to be guided by a future Conference of Parties (COP), which will establish marine protected areas based on proposals put forth by member states. Although decisions within the COP require a consensus, actions can be undertaken with a three-quarters majority if disagreements arise.
A significant aspect of the treaty is that states can collect marine genetic resources while ensuring that the benefits are fairly shared, particularly benefiting developing nations. Currently, the treaty has garnered 116 signatures and approximately 50 ratifications, predominantly from European and Pacific countries, alongside support from the European Union.
Macron expressed optimism about the treaty's future, noting that agreements have been reached for other countries to join the initiative. However, he recognized the challenges ahead, particularly with integrating efforts with existing organizations that manage various ocean sectors such as fishing and seabed mining, potentially complicating the enforcement of the treaty's provisions.
The commitment to ratifying this treaty underscores France's growing role in global environmental policies aimed at safeguarding marine ecosystems and advancing international cooperation on biodiversity issues.