Morocco and Sierra Leone Ratify High Seas Treaty to Protect 30% of the Ocean by 2030

Morocco and Sierra Leone have ratified the International Treaty on the High Seas, which will come into force in January 2026 and ensure the protection of approximately 30% of the world's oceans by 2030.

This agreement, adopted by more than 60 UN member states, aims to strengthen the legal framework for the conservation of marine resources beyond national jurisdiction. The document includes strict requirements for the preservation of marine biodiversity, the establishment of protected areas, and scientific cooperation among states.

On Friday, September 19, 2025, Morocco and Sierra Leone signed and ratified the treaty, marking a key milestone for international maritime law. The necessary threshold for the treaty to come into force was surpassed two years after its approval at a UN meeting.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that over these two years, states have demonstrated what can be achieved when nations come together for the common good.

The ratification of the treaty is significant for the protection of the world's oceans, particularly through the establishment of strict rules for fisheries conservation and deep-sea protection, which will reduce threats to the depletion and destruction of marine ecosystems.