{"id":72498,"date":"2025-10-01T12:57:56","date_gmt":"2025-10-01T16:57:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/canada\/?p=72498"},"modified":"2025-10-01T22:06:55","modified_gmt":"2025-10-02T02:06:55","slug":"a-historic-victory-the-un-global-ocean-treaty-has-been-ratified","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/canada\/en\/story\/72498\/a-historic-victory-the-un-global-ocean-treaty-has-been-ratified\/","title":{"rendered":"A Historic Victory: the UN Global Ocean Treaty has been Ratified"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

You did it!! <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

After over two decades of campaigning, we\u2019ve achieved a historic victory for the planet<\/strong>: the UN Global Ocean Treaty has officially been ratified. This historic agreement will enter into force in January 2026<\/strong> \u2014<\/strong> paving the way for the creation of the world\u2019s first network of sanctuaries in international waters. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

And it was made possible because millions of people like you raised your voices for the oceans.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\"\"
Concerned citizens gathered outside the United Nations during the fourth session of UN negotiations for a Global Ocean Treaty in New York, in 2022, to show negotiators that people care about the Global Ocean Treaty and the consequences for our planet if they fail to take action now.<\/em> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Why does this matter?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

Well, right now, less than 1% of the High Seas <\/strong>(areas of the ocean beyond national jurisdiction) are fully or highly protected. <\/strong>These vast waters are home to whales, sea turtles, and countless species we are only just beginning to discover. They\u2019re vulnerable to, and often exploited by, destructive industries like industrial fishing, oil drilling, and the threat of deep sea mining.<\/p>\n\n

But this UN Global Ocean Treaty changes everything. For the first time, governments have a legal framework <\/strong>to protect huge stretches of international waters, creating sanctuaries where ecosystems can recover, biodiversity can thrive, and coastal communities can feel secure in practicing their traditional livelihoods and in their future. <\/strong>For years, scientists have told us that protecting at least 30% of the oceans by 2030 is essential to halting biodiversity loss and tackling the climate crisis. This Treaty will help make that possible.<\/p>\n\n

But good things take time!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

This moment has been nearly 20 years in the making. Backed by scientists, Greenpeace first called for an ocean treaty back in 2005. Since then, we have teamed up with campaigners, Indigenous leaders, scientists, fishers, millions of ocean lovers around the world, and even ocean-dependent businesses to push for protection.<\/p>\n\n

To convince the world how critically we need this Treaty, we have travelled from ocean to ocean<\/strong> \u2014 from the Arctic to the Gal\u00e1pagos \u2014 documenting plastic pollution, industrial overfishing, commercial whaling, and the astonishing beauty of life below the waves. The images, stories, and scientific evidence we collected alongside our allies helped fuel a movement. And every petition you signed, every march you joined, every message you sent to world leaders and corporations helped build the momentum we needed.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n

This victory belongs to all of us.<\/strong>

People power helped us push governments to create a critical framework that can protect fragile marine species and ecosystems, and also support the millions of people whose lives depend on healthy seas. <\/strong>Now, let\u2019s make the oceans thrive!<\/p>\n\n

\"\"
Bottlenose dolphins spotted in the deep blue waters, 600 metres deep and located 15 kilometres off Lord Howe Island, off the coast of Australia. This is a priority area for one of the first high seas ocean sanctuaries under the new Global Ocean Treaty.<\/em>
\u00a9 Greenpeace \/ BRIDGET FERGUSON<\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

So what comes next?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

The Treaty will officially enter into force in January, setting the stage for the first-ever UN Ocean COP (Conference of the Parties) in 2026. That\u2019s when governments will begin to propose and adopt new high seas sanctuaries.<\/p>\n\n

But the work is far from over. <\/strong>To meet the 30×30 target \u2014 protecting 30% of the oceans by 2030 \u2014 countries must designate over 12 million square kilometres of ocean as sanctuaries every year between now and 2030. It\u2019s an enormous task, and the clock is ticking.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

But fear not. Greenpeace will be there every step of the way: pushing governments to keep their promises, exposing destructive industries, and working alongside Indigenous Peoples and local communities to ensure protections are strong, fair, and effective.<\/p>\n\n

So while the work is not done, we\u2019ll push on, buoyed with renewed enthusiasm due to this incredible milestone that we achieved together! Because once again, we\u2019ve proven that when we unite across borders and generations, we can move mountains \u2014 or in this case, protect oceans.<\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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