Landmark ocean treaty (BBNJ) to enter into force, UN says

The United Nations announced that the BBNJ agreement — the first treaty to establish a legal framework for conserving and sustainably using marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction — will enter into force tomorrow after receiving required ratifications.

Speaker 1 described the entry into force as a "watershed moment for the ocean," saying the secretary-general will commend parties to the agreement and urge all states to join. The agreement covers two-thirds of the ocean that lie beyond national borders and aims to create rules to conserve biological diversity in those areas.

The UN said it will share the secretary-general’s video message marking the occasion in advance of the treaty taking effect. The brief noted this development alongside the secretary-general’s London engagements and other ongoing international crises.