18 further countries have deposited their ratifications at the event in Nice, France, with just 11 more needed to reach "critical threshold" for the treaty's entry into force.
The EU, together with 6 individual EU member states, formally ratified the treaty in New York this week, bringing the total number of ratifications to 28.
International agreement was reached on 5 March 2023 to safeguard biodiversity and sustainability for the high seas, protecting 30% of the world's oceans.
The global treaty to safeguard international waters, which enters into force in January 2026, has been recognised with one of the world’s leading environmental awards.
