Yes, I Do — For the Ocean!

Collab: Martina Goldsztein. Lawyer, specialized in Environmental and Administrative Law. Ad honorem lecturer at the University of Buenos Aires. Founder of Ambiental & +.

More than half of the planet’s ocean lies beyond the control of any single country.This is what we call the High Seas: international waters that, for a long time, remained outside the reach of environmental laws and protections. But that is starting to change.

Beginning in January 2026, the High Seas Treaty will come into force — a global agreement designed to safeguard marine biodiversity and halt the destruction of ocean ecosystems. It’s a giant leap toward protecting the life that exists in the ocean... and, ultimately, life across the entire planet. Because what happens in the ocean affects us all #ForABetterWorld

So, what does it mean for Argentina to “ratify” the Treaty?: When a country signs an international treaty, the next step is to ratify it — that is, to approve it through a law passed by the National Congress. This approval turns the treaty into domestic law and allows the country to actively participate in decisions about how the treaty is implemented.

Today, Argentina has already signed the Treaty, but it has not yet ratified it. If it doesn't do so in time, it won't be able to take part in global decision-making about how the ocean is used and protected (yes, it's our famous legislative process).

And why is this Treaty so important?:

Because, for the first time, humanity has a legal agreement that allows us to:

• Protect key areas of the ocean by creating marine protected areas in international waters.

• Fairly share the benefits of marine genetic resources (such as organisms that could be used in medicine, for example).

• Require environmental impact assessments before authorizing activities that may harm the ocean.

• Promote scientific cooperation and access to marine technologies — especially for developing countries.

All of this supports a critical global goal: to protect at least 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030.

What is Argentina doing? Argentina played an active role in shaping the Treaty and has already signed the agreement. But for it to become law and truly take effect, Congress still needs to ratify it.

In the meantime, organizations committed to the ocean and biodiversity are already calling for that next step:

• Greenpeace Argentina

• Instituto de Conservación de Ballenas

• Aves Argentinas

• Fundación Vida Silvestre

• Fundación Ambiente y Recursos Naturales

• WCS Argentina

• Fundación Argentina Azul

• Círculo de Políticas Ambientales

• Sin Verde no hay Azul

All of them (and many more) are sending a clear message: Argentina cannot be left out. A heartfelt call to action!

Quoting our friends: “Because without blue there is no life, and without green there is no blue”. The ocean sustains life on Earth. It produces oxygen, regulates the climate, feeds millions of people, and is home to thousands of species. It is also a spiritual refuge, a source of inspiration and beauty. So, protecting it is not an option — it’s a necessity.