The first-ever treaty to protect marine diversity in international waters will come into force early next year, after it was ratified by the 60th nation, Morocco.

Morocco’s formal adoption of the Marine Biodiversity Treaty on Friday means the agreement will now enter into force on January 17, 2026, offering new protections to an area covering two-thirds of the world’s oceans and as many as 10 million different species, many of which are still unidentified.

Countries have rushed to ratify the treaty as the world’s oceans face growing threats, including from climate change, over-fishing and deep-sea mining , which United States President Donald Trump has pledged to help jumpstart in international waters.

Morocco’s Mission to the United Nations said in a statement that the entry into f

See Full Page