Written Question·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·UIN 109027

Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement

Tabled: 27 January 2026
Answered: 5 February 2026

Question

Neil Duncan-Jordan

LabourPoole

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she plans to ratify the UN High Seas Treaty by June 2026.

Answer

Seema Malhotra
Following Royal Assent of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Act (BBNJ), further secondary legislation is required before the BBNJ Agreement can be ratified by the UK. This will happen when the parliamentary timetable allows.