Spain Pioneers Global Ocean Treaty Ratification in the EU

Spain has made a landmark move in global marine conservation by becoming the first European Union member state to ratify the Treaty on Marine Biological Diversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), commonly referred to as the High Seas Treaty. This step not only reinforces Spain’s commitment to international collaboration on environmental protection but also highlights the country’s dedication to the “30x30” goal—protecting 30% of the high seas by 2030.

The announcement was made by Vice President and Minister for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, Sara Aagesen, who deposited Spain’s instrument of ratification at the United Nations headquarters in New York. At a subsequent press conference, Aagesen emphasized Spain’s unwavering support for multilateral action and the preservation of global public goods. She was joined by Juan Carlos del Olmo, Secretary General of WWF Spain, and Eva Saldaña, Executive Director of Greenpeace Spain, both of whom commended the move as a crucial step in safeguarding marine ecosystems.

The BBNJ Treaty is a significant legal framework that extends the environmental principles of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), providing clearer regulations on activities that take place on the high seas. It aims to ensure the sustainable use of marine resources, establish marine protected areas in international waters, and create a fair mechanism for the equitable sharing of benefits derived from marine genetic resources. In an era of intensifying climate change and growing pressure on the world’s oceans, these measures are vital for maintaining biodiversity and protecting essential marine habitats.

Spain’s leadership within the European Union context is notable. While the ratification process requires at least 60 countries to ratify the treaty before it enters into force, Spain’s example may spur other EU member states to accelerate their own ratification procedures. Chile was the first country worldwide to ratify the treaty on February 20, 2024. Now, with Spain’s ratification, a total of 16 countries—including Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Cuba, Maldives, Mauritius, Micronesia, Monaco, Palau, Panama, Seychelles, Singapore, St. Lucia, and Timor-Leste—have formally completed the process.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez had already signed the BBNJ Treaty in September 2023, during Spain’s presidency of the Council of the European Union. Following this signing, the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented the treaty to the Cortes (Spanish Parliament) on July 9, 2024. After parliamentary approval was granted, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs finalized the ratification by depositing the instrument with the United Nations on February 4, 2025. This timeline underscores Spain’s proactive approach in bringing the treaty closer to full implementation.

The implications of the treaty are wide-ranging, touching not only on environmental protections but also on economic and social factors. The high seas are home to critical fisheries and valuable mineral resources, as well as potential new frontiers in biotechnology. By establishing clear guidelines for research, conservation, and equitable sharing of genetic resources, the BBNJ Treaty aims to balance economic development with the need to preserve the ocean’s biodiversity. Moreover, it seeks to ensure that the benefits from marine genetic resources are accessible to developing nations, fostering a fairer international system for scientific advancement and resource utilization.

One of the main challenges moving forward will be implementing effective monitoring and enforcement mechanisms. Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, along with pollution and habitat destruction, threaten both marine life and human communities that rely on the ocean for food security and livelihoods. Spain’s early ratification sets a leadership example within Europe, illustrating a tangible commitment that may prompt other nations to swiftly follow suit. The ultimate goal is for the international community to meet the 60-country threshold as soon as possible, which would trigger a 120-day countdown to the treaty’s official entry into force.

Chile’s bid to host the treaty’s secretariat further underscores the global significance of the BBNJ framework. With Chile’s early ratification and Spain’s leading role within the EU, the stage is set for strong cooperation between nations that view marine conservation not just as a policy objective but as a moral imperative. It remains to be seen whether other major maritime players will join with the same urgency. Nevertheless, Spain’s decisive action sends a clear message: the world’s high seas are a shared inheritance, and their stewardship requires determined, collective efforts.

In the face of escalating climate threats and biodiversity loss, the High Seas Treaty presents a beacon of hope. By regulating activities in areas beyond national jurisdiction, setting aside protected zones, and ensuring fair distribution of scientific and commercial benefits, the treaty addresses many of the concerns that have plagued international waters for decades. Spain’s ratification brings the international community one step closer to a future where oceans are preserved for generations to come, where economic development does not come at the expense of vulnerable marine ecosystems, and where cooperation triumphs over unilateral exploitation.

As Spain takes the lead in Europe, international observers will watch closely to see how quickly other countries follow suit. For the treaty to become fully effective, each ratifying nation must align domestic regulations with the BBNJ provisions, ensuring that the goals of conservation and equity remain paramount. In doing so, Spain has already paved the way. The next few months will determine whether the EU collectively rises to this challenge, pushing the global community toward one of the most transformative advances in marine governance in recent history.