The BBNJ Agreement Will Enter Into Force In January 2026: What You Should Know

Key Takeaways:

• On 17 January 2026, the Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction ("BBNJ Agreement" or "Agreement") will enter into force.
• The Agreement will regulate activities in relation to marine genetic resources in the high seas and the deep seabed. Such resources have potentially valuable uses in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, biotechnology and food industries.
• The Agreement also contains requirements for the conduct of environmental impact assessments ("EIA") for activities in—or affecting—the high seas and the deep seabed, which will likely require States to update or adopt new legislation.

I. INTRODUCTION

On 17 January 2026, the BBNJ Agreement (also known as the High Seas Treaty) will enter into force, having reached the required number of ratifications on 19 September 2025 with Morocco's ratification. The Agreement has now seventy-five parties (including the European Union), with more to come. The