New York, USA (Enmaeya News) — Delegates from around the world met this week at U.N. Headquarters in New York to advance a long-awaited treaty aimed at conserving marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

Formally known as the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction, the treaty was adopted in June 2023 and is open for signature until Sept. 20, 2025.

With only eight more ratifications needed to bring it into force, experts say the treaty could become operational as early as 2026. The agreement addresses regulation of marine genetic resources, environmental impact assessments, area-based management tools, and the transfer of marine technology.

“The need for decisive and coordinated action has never been more urgent,” said U.N. Legal Counsel Elinor Hammarskjöld at the opening session. She noted the treaty’s implementation will mark a critical turning point for global ocean protection.

Small island developing states and Indigenous Peoples called for guaranteed representation and recognition as rights-holders, not just stakeholders. Developing countries emphasized that funding for participation should be mandatory, ensuring equitable access to the treaty’s decision-making process.

Delegates also discussed creating a Clearing-House Mechanism, a central hub for information exchange essential for early treaty implementation. “There is perhaps no more urgent piece of work before us,” said Commission Co-Chair Adam McCarthy, urging member states to operationalize the mechanism in early 2026.

With 139 countries already signed and 52 ratifications secured, the treaty is within reach of the 60 needed to enter into force. Experts say the first Conference of the Parties could convene in 2026, ushering in a new era of global collaboration to protect marine life and sustain ocean ecosystems.