WWF celebrates the latest ratifications of the UN High Seas Treaty, marking a milestone moment in global ocean governance. The High Seas Treaty will be a positive catalyst for collaboration across international waters and agreements and is a turning point for two-thirds of the world’s ocean that lie beyond national jurisdiction.”The high seas play an important role in the healthy functioning of the whole marine system, but only roughly 1% of this huge swath of the planet is protected. The high seas support crucial fisheries, provide habitats for hundreds of thousands of species and mitigate climate change impacts, with 23% of human-related carbon emissions being absorbed by the ocean over the last 10 years. The High Seas Treaty is necessary to implement the Global Biodiversity Framework, which commits countries to protect and conserve at least 30% of the ocean, and ensure 30% of degraded areas are under restoration, by 2030. While protecting 30% of the ocean is critical, WWF emphasizes that the remaining 70% must also be sustainably managed.