Denmark Joins UN Agreement for Protection of the High Seas

Denmark today signed on to the UN’s treaty on biodiversity in the high seas – the so-called BBNJ agreement (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction).

This is stated in a press release from the Ministry of Environment.

Minister of Environment Magnus Heunicke ratified the agreement on behalf of Denmark at the UN’s ocean conference in Nice.

With the ratification, Denmark commits to ensuring that Danish activities in the high seas are in line with the provisions of the agreement. The treaty constitutes a central element in fulfilling the UN’s global goals to protect 30 percent of the world’s oceans by 2030.

The high seas, covering approximately 66 percent of the Earth’s ocean area and located outside national jurisdiction, have so far lacked comprehensive international regulation. The BBNJ agreement enables the establishment of protected areas in these international waters and introduces requirements for environmental assessments of activities in the area.

The agreement also sets out rules for the exploitation of marine genetic resources, including enzymes and microorganisms, as well as provisions for capacity building and transfer of marine technology, especially for the benefit of developing countries.

Minister of Environment Magnus Heunicke stated:
“The biodiversity of the ocean is under pressure, and we have a shared responsibility to protect it. With the agreement, we now have for the first time a common international framework for the protection of biodiversity in the high seas. This is a crucial first step if we are to halt the loss of biodiversity in the oceans.”

The BBNJ agreement enters into force 120 days after 60 countries have ratified it.

On May 20, 2025, the Danish Parliament passed bill L133/2025, providing the basis for implementing the agreement into Danish legislation. At the EU level, the Commission is working on a directive to ensure consistent implementation of the BBNJ agreement in member states. Denmark, which assumes the EU presidency on July 1, 2025, aims to conclude negotiations on the directive during its presidency.

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