Featuring High Seas Alliance Regional Coordinators

After 20 years of negotiations and two years into the ratification process, the countdown is on: only 4 more ratifications are needed for the High Seas Treaty to enter into force. (Also referred to as the the Agreement under UNCLOS on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction or BBNJ in this article) 

Civil society and in particular, the High Seas Alliance (HSA), have been at the forefront in urging governments to move forward with ratification. Through tireless national and regional efforts and strong network collaborations – we have seen the momentum build – from Africa to Oceania; landlocked nations to Big Ocean States. As we edge closer to the entry into force of the Treaty, we spoke to the Regional Coordinators of the High Sea Alliance to understand the regional barriers and aspirations around this critical moment.

Sibongile Manzana, HSA Regional Coordinator (Interim), Africa

In Africa, discussions on the High Seas Treaty are progressing, but like in other regions, there are still hurdles to overcome on the path to ratification. Creating more opportunities for dialogue, training and capacity-building in the region is key. Another area where support is needed is in strengthening national frameworks that could give governments the tools and clarity they need to move ahead with ratification and implementation of the Treaty.

However, the Treaty comes with many opportunities for the region. Building stronger links between the BBNJ Treaty, ocean governance and the Blue Economy could address mistrust and bring developed and developing countries in Africa onto the same page. Through benefit-sharing of marine genetic resources, African countries could gain returns that outweigh membership fees and directly strengthen their blue economies. The BBNJ Treaty offers access to research, knowledge exchange, capacity building and financing to support national projects and marine research, including indigenous knowledge.
African Union bodies and regional conventions like the Nairobi and Benguela Current Conventions can be mobilized to raise awareness, coordinate action and ensure Africa has a strong voice in shaping High Seas governance.

Nabegh Ghazal Asswad, Ph.D, HSA Regional Coordinator, Middle East and North Africa (MENA) 

In the MENA region, political complexities have shaped the ratification debate, but campaigners simplified the message by focusing on livelihoods, marine wildlife and community benefits.
Countries with Exclusive Economic Zones (areas of ocean they manage and use for resources) — such as Morocco, Mauritania, Oman and Yemen — have shown strong interest, while others remain cautious due to the commitments required.

Momentum is building, with expectations that a number of countries will advance ratification and that MENA leaders will use UNGA to publicly declare support. Early ratification would position MENA countries as leaders in shaping Treaty implementation, with the hope of broad regional uptake by September 2025.

Leneka Rhoden, HSA Regional Coordinator, The Caribbean

The Caribbean stands out with one of the strongest levels of commitment worldwide: nine Caribbean countries have ratified. The ocean is at the heart of the region’s economy, culture and way of life–and governments recognize the value of securing its future.

Still ratification has not been without its challenges. Inter-ministerial coordination is often difficult, institutional capacity is limited and the frequency of national elections across the region this year have contributed to some delays in ratification.

Even so, the BBNJ Agreement remains a top-level priority representing a pathway to strengthen ocean governance but also a strategic opportunity to advance the blue economy and promote the sustainable use of marine resources. It also offers opportunities for technology transfer, capacity building and scientific collaboration that could support both sustainability and long-term growth for the region.

Rizza Sacra-Dejucos, HSA Regional Coordinator, Asia

Asia, bordered by three major ocean basins, is home to the world’s richest biodiversity. Its stakes in the High Seas are therefore enormous. The region has played a central role in negotiations, with Singapore presiding since 2018 and helping deliver the final Agreement.

Seventeen Asian countries have signed and seven have ratified though political transitions and pressing domestic issues continue to delay others.

Still, Asian nations have been active in the BBNJ Preparatory Commission sessions, a good indication that early implementation of the Agreement remains a priority for many countries in the region. For Small Island Developing States, least developed countries and landlocked developing countries, institutional capacity needs to be strengthened throughout the BBNJ process to avoid being left behind. 

With several countries nearing the end of their domestic ratification processes, more signatures are expected soon. More than ever, the sense of urgency to ratify reaches new heights as the entry into force of the Agreement is seen on the horizon and everyone wants a seat at the table when the first Conference of the Parties (COP) convenes. 

Olive Vaai, HSA Regional Coordinator, Oceania-Pacific

The Oceania-Pacific region has moved with remarkable unity: all Pacific Island countries have signed the BBNJ Agreement since it opened for signature in September 2023 and six countries, Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Republic of the Marshall Islands, have ratified.

For many Pacific nations, the ocean is not merely a resource, but is a relative entrusted to their care, grounded in ancestral traditions of respect and reciprocity.

This worldview provides a powerful foundation for advancing High Seas protection and one that the rest of the world could stand to learn from. Despite this progress, the path to ratification is not without obstacles. Several countries face political instability with elections, competing priorities, geopolitical tensions and looming industries such as deep-sea mining. Furthermore, as Small Island Developing States, there is hesitancy to ratify or implement obligations without assurance of financial and technical assistance. Addressing these political, economic and industrial challenges will require sustained legal support, capacity building and careful balancing of conservation goals with national development interests.

But the opportunities are equally strong. Indigenous Peoples as well as local communities bring invaluable traditional knowledge and cultural perspectives that can guide the design of High Seas MPA networks, ensuring they reflect both ecological significance and community values. Internationally, influential players such as Australia, the U.S., China and the EU are poised to provide resources, while regional organizations like the Pacific Islands Forum, SPREP and Forum Fisheries Agency can anchor implementation. By uniting political momentum, indigenous leadership and external partnerships, the Oceania-Pacific region is positioned not only to meet ratification milestones but also to become a global leader in advancing ocean governance and biodiversity protection for the High Seas.

Mariamalia Rodríguez-Chaves, HSA Regional Coordinator, Latin America

Latin America benefits from both coastal ecosystems and the High Seas; the latter, an oasis for multiple species and habitats that generate critical ecosystem services and economic benefits through activities related to tourism, diving, cruises, fisheries, cetacean watching, among others.

The Core Latin American Group (also known as CLAM), is a block of sixteen States that coordinates regional positions within the BBNJ negotiations and future entry into force of the Agreement.

Twelve countries in the region have signed the Agreement, and currently four have completed their ratification process (Chile, Cuba, Panama and Costa Rica).

Similar to other regions, challenges in Latin America include the turnover of government officials and political dynamics, which could slow down the progress of ratification and future implementation processes. In addition, there are challenges related to language and expertise, for example, the identification of regional experts to communicate science related to region- specific audiences. Another challenge relates to technology, information, and knowledge, which are not evenly distributed, and therefore, the effective capacity building part and information sharing are key elements for the Latin American countries to ensure the effective implementation of the Agreement.

Plenty of opportunities for the Latin American region lay ahead in the implementation of the BBNJ Agreement, which is a game changer in leveling the playfield for developing countries to ensure the conservation and sustainability of biodiversity in ABNJ, but also in addressing equity asymmetries.

Nathalie Rey, HSA Regional Coordinator, Europe  

Europe has long presented itself as a leader in ocean governance, but its record on BBNJ ratification tells a mixed story. Only fifteen EU countries have ratified the Treaty so far, with many still lagging.

The UK and Iceland – other major European players – have also yet to ratify. Swift, coordinated action is needed if Europe is to uphold its credibility.

The EU has tools to support both domestic and global progress. A proposed EU directive would embed the Treaty into EU law, ensuring consistency across member states and closing potential loopholes. Externally, the EU’s global ocean programme and its role in the High Ambition Coalition can help partners worldwide ratify and implement the Treaty. By acting quickly at home and supporting others abroad, Europe can reinforce its claim to leadership.

Conclusion

When the High Seas Treaty was agreed in early 2023, it showed that multilateralism could still work, even against the backdrop of growing geopolitical division. Today, as tensions continue, the race for ratification carries even greater weight. If the Treaty reaches the 60 ratifications milestone, thus triggering the countdown to entry into force, during the UN General Assembly and New York Climate Week, it will be a powerful reminder that cooperation remains possible.

But reaching the “magic 60” ratification number is just a milestone, not the finish line. To be strong, fair and truly global, this Treaty needs more than the minimum. It needs broad, diverse support that reflects every region and every voice. Widespread ratification is essential to build a Treaty that is inclusive, effective and reflective of our planet’s diversity. Only then can it empower the global community to protect the High Seas for generations to come.

Even though across all regions challenges remain, the momentum is undeniable: countries are stepping forward, communities are mobilizing, and cooperation is growing stronger. Piece by piece, the building blocks of a new era of ocean governance are coming together. If the first two decades were about negotiations, the next decades can be about action: turning commitments into real protection for the High Seas and hope for the future. 

Visit High Seas Alliance for updates on the #raceforratification.

A huge thank you to the team at High Seas Alliance and all the HSA regional coordinators for contributing to this article, especially during such a busy time.