France and Spain officially ratified the UN High Seas Treaty making them the first European Union countries to do so, as reported by Oceanographic Magazine. This landmark agreement aims to protect ocean areas beyond national jurisdiction and is critical to achieve the global goal of conserving 30% of marine environments by 2030. With 17 nations now fully endorsing the treaty campaigners hope to secure the necessary 60 ratifications before the UN Ocean Conference in June.

This landmark agreement aims to protect ocean areas beyond national jurisdiction…

The treaty – which was adopted in June 2023 – represents the most comprehensive international effort to safeguard the high seas which are vital for biodiversity and climate regulation. France, set to co-host the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, highlighted the economic and ecological importance of ocean conservation. Greenpeace Spain hailed the ratification as a victory for collective action urging more countries to follow suit in enshrining the treaty into law.