The European Union and six of its member states have officially ratified the United Nations High Seas Treaty, marking a significant step forward in global efforts to protect the oceans.

The international agreement, which establishes vast marine protected areas beyond national jurisdictions, will enter into force once 60 countries have ratified it. To date, 28 ratifications have been recorded.

The latest ratifications deposited at the UN headquarters in New York include those of the EU, Portugal, Slovenia, Cyprus, Latvia and Hungary.

Ruth Marie Hennings, an ocean campaigner at Greenpeace Belgium, said the latest endorsements represent further progress toward establishing a global network of marine protected areas. She noted that such areas are vital not only for marine life, but also for humanity, highlighting the ocean’s role in producing oxygen, regulating the climate, and providing food and employment to three billion people.

These European ratifications coincide with the upcoming United Nations Ocean Summit, which will take place in Nice, southern France, from 9th to 13th June. The summit is expected to gather dozens of political leaders from across the globe.