NEW YORK — Norway has ratified the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement at the United Nations, becoming the 31st country to back the landmark international treaty aimed at protecting the high seas and ensuring sustainable ocean governance.
“Today, I am proud and delighted to announce that Norway has ratified and will join as the 31st party to the BBNJ Agreement,” Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said at the signing ceremony in New York on Tuesday. “Protecting the world’s oceans requires collective effort from all countries. This is why Norway has been a driving force in landing this Agreement.”
The BBNJ Agreement covers ocean areas beyond national jurisdiction, which account for nearly two-thirds of the world’s oceans. It is designed to strengthen environmental protection, promote sustainable use of marine resources, and establish legal frameworks for biodiversity and ecosystem preservation in international waters.
The Norwegian Parliament approved the ratification unanimously on May 26, and the government formally finalized the process on May 27. Norway’s action comes just ahead of the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, scheduled for June 9–13.
“The Parliament, civil society, business and academia all support Norway’s ratification,” said Eide. “Now we must ensure that the Agreement enters into force as soon as possible — and for that, we need all countries on board.”
Thirty countries have ratified the treaty so far; 60 are required for it to enter into force.
The BBNJ Agreement is also a cornerstone of Norway’s broader climate and marine agenda. It is expected to help meet the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework’s goal of protecting 30 percent of marine areas by 2030.
“This new international ocean agreement will help us reach the goal of protecting 30 percent of marine areas by 2030,” said Climate and Environment Minister Andreas Bjelland Eriksen. “It makes it possible to conserve more of the marine environment and ensures that environmental impacts are assessed before activities begin.”
Norway has also pledged NOK 500,000 (approximately $49,000 USD) to support developing countries’ participation in the treaty’s preparatory process.
“Norway is glad to be on board. We want to ensure that all countries can help shape the future of ocean governance,” said Minister of International Development Åsmund Aukrust. “That is essential for fair and effective implementation.”
“As a fisheries and ocean nation, we know that sustainable ocean management is crucial for future food security, jobs and biodiversity,” added Marianne Sivertsen Næss, Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Policy. “This Agreement gives us a shared framework to take that responsibility.”
