Overview
- The cabinet approved two draft laws—one for accession and one for domestic implementation—and sent them to the Bundestag.
- The 2023 UN agreement establishes global rules to create marine protected areas on the high seas and mandates environmental impact assessments for ocean activities.
- The Environment Ministry reports 145 signatories, and with 75 ratifications plus the EU secured, the treaty is set to enter into force on 17 January 2026.
- Germany says it is already coordinating with partners in Africa, South America and Asia to identify the first protected zones.
- Environment Minister Carsten Schneider called the oceans vital and cited plastic pollution, overfishing, chemicals and climate change as drivers for the move.