"The entry of the UN's historic ocean agreement into force is a significant breakthrough for the world's oceans. The agreement will ensure the protection of at least 30 percent of marine areas by 2030. Given that the oceans cover most of the globe, it is especially crucial that we take better care of this vital resource. Now, it is a matter of delivering on these ambitious goals," says Catharina Bu, Secretary General of the UN Association of Norway.
The UN Ocean Treaty sets out rules for nature conservation in the high seas. The Ocean Treaty was established in 2023, but was not due to enter into force until 120 days after 60 countries had ratified the agreement. That threshold was reached in September 2025. The agreement therefore came into force on January 17, 2026. As of January 21, 2026, 82 countries, in addition to the EU, have ratified the agreement.
The Ocean Agreement is important for achieving the goal of protecting 30 percent of the world's marine areas by 2030. Inthe UN Nature Agreementof 2022, the world agreed to protect 30 percent of all nature on land by 2030. The nature agreement also aims to protect 30 percent of the world's oceans, lakes, and rivers by 2030. The 2023 Ocean Agreement is an important tool for achieving this 30 percent target for the oceans, which the world agreed on through the Nature Agreement the year before.
The UN Ocean Agreement:
- will help protect marine areas covering millions of kilometers;
- shall prevent overfishing and deep-sea mining;
- enables the creation of marine reserves—areas with strong or complete protection—in international waters.
Source: fn.no
On March 5, UN member states agreed to establish protected marine areas covering millions of kilometers and to contribute to reversing the loss of marine biodiversity. Photo: Janko Ferlič/Unsplash.
