UK urged to ratify high seas treaty to avoid being shut out of Ocean Cop summit

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 3 min read 100% complete by Damien Gayle Environment correspondentJanuary 17, 2026 at 07:00 AM

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The UK is facing pressure from environmental groups to ratify the UN's high seas treaty, officially known as the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, which comes into force on Saturday. Eighteen UK environmental charities have sent a letter to the foreign secretary expressing concern over the slow progress of the bill needed for ratification. They warn that failure to ratify the treaty before the first Ocean Cop summit, expected as early as August, could exclude the UK from participation. The treaty aims to protect biodiversity in international waters, which cover nearly half the planet, by creating marine protected areas and ensuring sustainable resource use. While the UK has signed the treaty, it has not yet passed the necessary legislation to ratify it.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Germany 30% Greenpeace 40% China 40% France 40% Japan 40% Spain 40% Mexico 40% Brazil 40% Dr. Lance Morgan 50% Foreign Office 50% UN ×270% UK ×690%

Keywords

high seas treaty 100% ratification 80% ocean cop summit 70% marine biodiversity 60% uk 60% marine protected areas 50% ocean governance 50% environmental charities 40%