Summary

Switzerland signed the international high seas protection agreement on February 5, 2025, and plans its ratification and implementation. The agreement regulates the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity in marine areas outside national jurisdiction. The Federal Council opens a public consultation period from June 12 to October 5, 2026, on a new federal law (High Seas Protection Act, HoSG) that will establish the necessary national implementation provisions. The agreement aims to ensure Swiss citizens and companies have non-discriminatory, internationally uniform access to high seas resources.

Persons

  • Swiss Federal Council (collegial body; ratification decision)

Topics

  • International marine protection agreements
  • Sustainable use of marine resources
  • Swiss foreign policy and multilateral treaties
  • National legislation

Clarus Lead

The high seas protection agreement marks a turning point in international ocean policy: for the first time, a binding global framework is being created to protect ecosystems in high seas zones, which comprise approximately 54% of the Earth's surface and previously had regulatory gaps. For Switzerland – a landlocked country without direct maritime sovereignty – signing and planned ratification signal a strong commitment to multilateral environmental standards while simultaneously securing economic interests of its citizens and companies in global fisheries and biotechnology markets. The public consultation period until October 2026 is critical for parliamentary and public debate on national implementation costs and compliance requirements.

Detailed Summary

The High Seas Protection Agreement (BBNJ – Biological Diversity Beyond National Jurisdiction) is a United Nations international law treaty concluded in December 2023 that creates, for the first time, a unified legal framework for the protection and sustainable management of marine biological resources in international waters. Switzerland signed the agreement on February 5, 2025, and is now preparing for internal ratification.

The agreement contains two categories of provisions: directly applicable regulations that are valid without national implementation, and provisions that require national legislation. Switzerland plans to create a new federal law implementing the high seas protection agreement (High Seas Protection Act, HoSG) to close these implementation gaps. The law is intended to ensure that Swiss companies and citizens can operate under uniform, non-discriminatory conditions when utilizing high seas resources – such as in fisheries, biotechnology, or raw material extraction.

The public consultation period from June 12 to October 5, 2026, enables cantons, interest groups, environmental organizations, and the public to comment on the draft law. This is a critical point for evaluating implementation costs, control mechanisms, and potential conflicts between environmental protection and economic interests.

Key Statements

  • Switzerland signed the UN high seas protection agreement on February 5, 2025, and plans ratification and national implementation
  • A new federal law (HoSG) is to regulate the necessary national provisions
  • Public consultation period runs from June 12 to October 5, 2026
  • Goal is a non-discriminatory, internationally uniform legal framework for Swiss actors in high seas zones

Critical Questions

  1. Evidence/Data Quality: What scientific data on high seas biodiversity underpin the agreement, and how will this be regularly updated?

  2. Conflicts of Interest: Which Swiss industries (fisheries, biotechnology, raw material extraction) are directly affected, and how will their interests be weighed against environmental protection concerns?

  3. Causality/Alternatives: To what extent is national implementation through a new federal law necessary, or could existing laws be adapted? What scenarios have been evaluated?

  4. Feasibility: What control and enforcement mechanisms are provided in the HoSG to ensure compliance by Swiss actors in international waters?

  5. Costs/Risks: What financial and administrative burdens will arise for the federal government, cantons, and the economy from implementation?

  6. Timing: Why is the public consultation period only four months for a law with potentially significant economic and ecological reach?

Source Directory

Primary Source: High Seas Protection Agreement – Ratification and Implementation – news.admin.ch https://www.news.admin.ch/de/newnsb/Pjbx0Qxr4hDfxG0z3sArn

Verification Status: ✓ 12.06.2026

This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-checking: 12.06.2026