As stated by French President Emmanuel Macron on June 9, 2025, how many countries had ratified the High Seas Treaty by that date?

Correct option is A

The correct answer is (a) 49

Explanation:

• On June 9, 2025, during the opening of the 3rd UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France, President Emmanuel Macron announced a significant surge in support for the High Seas Treaty.

• He confirmed that 18 new countries had deposited their instruments of ratification on that day alone, bringing the total number of country ratifications to 49.

• While the European Union (EU) had also ratified the treaty, its ratification is counted separately as a regional organization and does not count toward the 60-country threshold required for the treaty to enter into force.

• President Macron emphasized that with 49 ratifications, the world was just 11 countries short of the 60 needed to make the treaty international law.

• The High Seas Treaty, formally known as the BBNJ (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction) agreement, aims to protect marine life in international waters, which cover nearly two-thirds of the ocean.

Information Booster:

• The High Seas Treaty was first adopted by the UN in June 2023 and opened for signatures in September 2023.

• Once the 60th ratification is reached, a 120-day countdown begins before the treaty officially enters into force.

• Following the momentum in Nice, the 60th ratification was eventually achieved on September 19, 2025, allowing the treaty to become binding on January 17, 2026.

Additional Knowledge:

(b) 55 (Option b)

• This number was not reached by the June 9 announcement. However, by the end of the conference week in mid-June, the count had climbed to 50-51 ratifications as more nations joined.

(c) 65 (Option c)

• This figure represents the total number of ratifications reached after the 60-country milestone was triggered in late September 2025.

(d) 60 (Option d)

• This is the critical threshold required for the treaty to take effect. While Macron expressed hope that this number would be reached quickly, it was not achieved until September 19, 2025, several months after the Nice conference.