UN Treaty Event Opens Next Week With Ocean, Cybercrime and Nuclear Pacts in Play

The United Nations' annual treaty event kicks off Sept. 22 during High-Level Week, and this year's slate carries unusual weight: the landmark ocean biodiversity agreement that entered into force in January, a cybercrime convention that drew the most signatures in a decade, and potential new commitments on the International Criminal Court, nuclear weapons and nuclear testing. David Nanopoulos, Chief of the Treaty Section in the Office of Legal Affairs, previewed the four-day event at a Sept. 18 press briefing, promising a busy week — while declining to reveal exactly which states plan to act.

• BBNJ ocean treaty now in force with 94 parties; more ratifications expected next week ahead of the first Conference of Parties in early 2027

• Cybercrime convention reaches 82 signatories and 3 ratifications after a record-setting signing ceremony in Hanoi drew 71 states last October

• Actions expected on the Rome Statute (ICC), the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, though Nanopoulos would not say which states or what type

• Treaty event runs Sept. 22–25 in the Kuwaiti Boteria area under the theme "Promoting Multilateral Treaties: Safeguarding Humanity"

The 2026 treaty event — organized every year since 2000 — gives heads of state and government a public stage to sign, ratify or accede to any of the more than 600 multilateral treaties deposited with the Secretary-General. This year's edition spans four days, Sept. 22 through Sept. 25, in the Kuwaiti Boteria area at UN headquarters.