17 January 2026 marks a turning point in the conservation of our planet. This Saturday, the High Seas Treaty, formally known as the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), has officially entered into force. This landmark international agreement is key to protecting oceans beyond national borders, which represent almost half of the Earth’s surface and 95% of the ocean’s volume.
For the first time, the Treaty establishes a global legal framework to preserve marine biodiversity in international waters, an area that until now has been highly vulnerable to overexploitation, pollution, and the impacts of climate change.
One of the most significant advances of the High Seas Treaty is the ability to establish marine protected areas (MPAs) in international waters. This will make it possible to conserve essential ecosystems (such as migratory routes, underwater mountains, and areas of high biodiversity) and to move closer to the global goal of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030.
In addition, the Treaty introduces:
- Rules for the sustainable use of marine resources,
- The obligation to assess the environmental impact of human activities,
- Mechanisms for international cooperation and support for countries with fewer resources.
Oceans and mountains: a vital connection
Although the Kilian Jornet Foundation works primarily to protect mountain ecosystems, this new Treaty highlights a fundamental reality: mountains and oceans are deeply interconnected.
Mountains are sources of freshwater, regulate the climate, and feed river systems that flow into the oceans. At the same time, oceans influence climate patterns that determine the health of glaciers, snow cover, and high-mountain ecosystems. The cryosphere (glaciers, ice, and snow) is a key element of this connection and a clear indicator of the climate emergency.
Protecting the oceans also means protecting the mountains.
This integrated approach was present at the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), held in Nice, where the Kilian Jornet Foundation participated last year by presenting the Permapyrenees project. In this international forum, oceans and the cryosphere were central themes of the discussions.
UNOC3 reinforced the need to address the climate and biodiversity crises through a systemic vision that connects oceans, mountains, and human communities, a vision fully aligned with the values of the Foundation.
A shared future
The entry into force of the High Seas Treaty shows that international cooperation can deliver real progress in the face of global challenges. Its impact will depend on how it is implemented in the coming years, but the step taken today is clear: protecting the oceans means protecting the future of the entire planet.
From the depths of the sea to the highest mountain peaks, everything is connected. And only by caring for these connections can we ensure a viable future for generations to come.
