The Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction, known as the BBNJ Agreement, was adopted by consensus by an intergovernmental conference at the UN in New York in June 2023.

Ireland was one of the first countries to sign the agreement in September 2023. It currently has 143 signatories and 57 ratifications, and will enter into force 120 days after the 60th ratification, a threshold expected to be crossed as soon as next week.

The agreement deals with the “high seas” and the deep seabed, which comprise two-thirds of oceans and half the surface area of the planet, but fall outside the jurisdiction of any country.

It will provide for the creation of a global network of high seas marine protected areas (MPAs). Presently only one per cent of the high seas are protected by MPAs, far short of what is envisaged by the globally agreed “30 by 30” target.

Tánaiste and foreign affairs and trade minister Simon Harris said: “This historic agreement reinforces the multilateral system and is a major victory for international ocean governance and the protection of the marine environment. Ireland is fully committed to working alongside our international partners to realise the agreement’s full potential.”

Darragh O’Brien, minister for climate, energy and the environment, said: “Our oceans and marine environment, now more than ever, face growing threats from the impacts of pollution, climate change, and human activities.

“This landmark agreement provides the global community with a strong framework to protect and restore marine biodiversity and achieve globally agreed commitments.”

Subject to approval by the Dáil, Ireland will confirm its ratification with the secretary-general of the UN in New York next week.