After two weeks of negotiations between more than 50 countries, the Fifth Session of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) ended last Friday without establishing a High Seas Treaty — once again leaving more than two-thirds of the global ocean unprotected. But important progress was also made, which the Only One community of supporters has helped push for. World leaders are closer than ever before to finalizing the treaty, and there’s reason to be optimistic that the next negotiation will be the last step in the nearly two-decades–long process. We can’t let up the pressure now, and we need you with us! Can you help build momentum for the coalition to protect the High Seas by sharing our petition with your network? We’re just shy of our goal of 75,000 signatures.
Update: After decades of negotiation, the High Seas Treaty has finally crossed the finish line. On 19 September 2025, the treaty passed the 60-country threshold to enter into force, giving us the first global, legally binding tool to protect life and habitats in the two-thirds of our ocean covered by international waters, less than 1% of which is protected. Starting January 2026, it will open the door to multilateral processes to establish marine protected areas, regulate industrial activity, and ensure fair sharing of marine resources — a historic step toward meeting the 30x30 goal.
Today, nearly half the planet is unprotected and vulnerable to exploitation.
This ocean area that lies outside of any country’s jurisdiction is known as the High Seas and covers over 60 percent of the ocean. This global commons is critical to the health of the entire ocean.
