Germany joins UN High Seas Treaty to protect international waters

Germany has officially joined the United Nations High Seas Treaty, with Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider depositing the instrument of ratification in New York during the UN General Assembly. The agreement, described by Schneider as ‘the greatest international environmental policy success of recent years,’ aims to protect marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, which comprise approximately two-thirds of the world's oceans.

The treaty provides a framework for establishing marine protected areas and ensuring the sustainable use of resources to combat threats such as plastic pollution, overfishing, and climate change. Germany’s domestic High Seas Protection Act, passed earlier this year, will work in tandem with the UN agreement. For German actors, including vessels flying the German flag and marine researchers, the new regulations will become binding on October 21, 30 days after the ratification.

To date, 94 states have ratified the treaty. Practical implementation is expected to begin with the first conference of the parties in January 2027 in New York. This upcoming summit will involve the establishment of scientific bodies and decisions regarding the permanent seat of the BBNJ Secretariat.