Debate on ratification of the Global Ocean Treaty

The Global Ocean Treaty aims to establish a legal mechanism for marine conservation in international waters, as well as afford other protections to shared marine resources and the marine environment. This debate focuses on the ratification of the Treaty.

It was agreed by United Nations negotiators on 6 March 2023, following over almost ten years of negotiations. It has yet to be ratified by the required number of countries needed to enter into force.

Its main aim is to ensure the “conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, for the present and in the long term”. At present, there is no legislative framework in place to allow for conservation of marine biodiversity in international waters. The Global Ocean Treaty is widely acknowledged as playing a key role in achieving the aim of conserving 30% of the world’s land and oceans by 2030.

The UK has not yet ratified the Treaty. It intends to do so in the next Parliamentary session, however environmental groups have called for earlier ratification and commitment to the Treaty aims.

This pack contains details of the Global Ocean Treaty negotiations and next steps, as well as recent Parliamentary material and links to further reading.