Ireland is to ratify the first global treaty aimed at protecting marine biodiversity in the High Seas, the Government has confirmed.

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Harris, and the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O’Brien, announced today that Ireland will formally ratify the Agreement on Marine Biodiversity beyond National Jurisdiction, known as the BBNJ Agreement.

The treaty is the first to focus specifically on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas of the ocean that lie outside national jurisdiction. These areas make up two-thirds of the world’s oceans and half of the planet’s surface area.

Mr Harris said the Agreement represented a historic step for global ocean governance. “This historic Agreement reinforces the multilateral system and is a major victory for international ocean governance and the protection of the marine environment. Ireland is fully committed to working alongside our international partners to realise the Agreement’s full potential,” he said.

Mr O’Brien said the deal was vital as the oceans and marine environment faced growing threats from pollution, climate change and human activity. “This landmark Agreement provides the global community with a strong framework to protect and restore marine biodiversity and achieve globally agreed commitments,” he said.

The treaty was adopted by consensus at the United Nations in June 2023 following almost two decades of negotiations. Ireland signed the Agreement on 20 September 2023 and played an active role in the negotiations as part of the EU team. It has also been closely involved in the Preparatory Commission established to oversee its implementation.

Following Government and Dáil approval this week, Ireland’s instrument of ratification will be deposited with the UN Secretary General during High Level Week in New York next week.

The BBNJ Agreement implements key elements of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. It will allow for the creation of a global network of High Seas marine protected areas, strengthen environmental impact assessments and provide capacity building and benefit-sharing measures for developing countries. At present, only about 1 per cent of the High Seas is protected, far short of the “30 by 30” target.

The Agreement opened for signature in September 2023 and requires 60 ratifications to enter into force. It currently has 143 signatories and 57 ratifications. Additional ratifications during UN High Level Week, including Ireland’s, are expected to push the total beyond 60, triggering entry into force 120 days later.