January 17, 2026, marked a historic milestone for ocean governance with the official entry into force of the High Seas Treaty (BBNJ Agreement). This international treaty establishes a fundamental legal framework for regulating human activities on the high seas and fostering technical cooperation among states. Its implementation allows for the establishment of clear rules for the conservation and sustainable use of high ecological value ecosystems, which currently face critical threats from pollution, overexploitation of resources, and the effects of climate change. International waters are considered the common heritage of mankind and remain open to navigation, scientific research, and responsible fishing under international law. In this context, Panama has strengthened its leadership by ratifying Law 442 on September 30, 2024. This law formalized the country's participation in this global initiative aimed at protecting marine ecosystems under climate and commercial pressure. With the entry into force of the High Seas Treaty, the Republic of Panama gains the ability to directly influence decision-making for the conservation of biodiversity in international waters, strengthening capacity development and cooperation to ensure the stability of the global ocean system. This achievement was consolidated through the expansion of the Banco Volcán managed resource area, which increased its surface area from 14,201.13 km² to 93,390.0 km². Panama's interest in ocean conservation is based on verifiable previous actions. In 2023, the country announced that it maintains 54.33% of its Exclusive Economic Zone under protection, surpassing global targets. This action positions Panama as a nation with a legal framework aligned with the world's most demanding environmental standards.
