[13][12] Though the agreement does not directly address climate change, it also serves as a step towards protecting the ecosystems that store carbon in sediments.

[14] The treaty has 75 articles and its main purpose is "to take stewardship of the world’s oceans for present and future generations, care for and protect the marine environment and ensure its responsible use, maintain the integrity of undersea ecosystems and conserve marine biological diversity’s inherent value".

[17] The world's oceans are facing a severe decline in biodiversity and degradation of ecosystems due to threats related to climate change and the expansion of human activities, such as shipping, overfishing, plastic pollution and deep-sea mining.

The High Seas treaty aims to address the regulatory gaps,[18] by promoting coherence and coordination with and among existing institutions, frameworks, and bodies.

The remaining one-third of the ocean falls under national jurisdiction and is situated within the exclusive economic zones (EEZs).

The exclusive economic zones extend 200 nautical miles (about 370 km) from the territorial sea baseline.

The zones are established under UNCLOS, giving coastal states the jurisdiction over the living and non-living resources within the water and the seabeds.

[11] The United Nations began preparatory meetings in 2004 to lay the foundation for an Implementing Agreement to UNCLOS addressing governance and regulatory gaps.

[23] On 24 December 2017, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 72/249 to convene an intergovernmental conference and undertake formal negotiations for a new international legally binding instrument under the UNCLOS for the conservation and sustainable development of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

[35] Marine genetic resources (MGRs), including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits is the first element mentioned in the treaty.

Among other things, marine genetic resources can enable production of biochemicals that can be used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and food supplements.

First, a part under the High Seas treaty has to submit a proposal for an area-based management tool or a marine protected area.

[43] Environmental impact assessments have the potential to predict, reduce and prevent human activities affecting marine biodiversity and ecosystems.

[46] Capacity building and the transfer of marine technology concerns the equitable access to research conducted in international waters and enabling cooperation and participation in the activities outlined in the agreement.

Different types of capacity building and transfer of technology are mentioned in the agreement, such as sharing of information and research results; develop and share manuals, guidelines and standards; collaboration and cooperation in marine science; and develop and strengthen institutional capacity and national regulation or mechanisms.

[49] Furthermore, a capacity-building and transfer of marine technology committee will be established, in order to monitor and review the undertaken initiatives, under the authority of the Conference of the Parties.

[50] The treaty introduces a new institutional framework in part VI about 'Institutional Arrangements', including the Conference of the Parties, the Scientific and Technical Body, the secretariat and the clearing-house mechanism.

[53] The secretariat is responsible for providing administrative and logistical support to the Conference of the Parties and its subsidiary bodies.

This includes tasks, such as arranging and servicing the meetings, as well as circulating information relating to the implementation of the treaty in a timely manner.