Morocco and Sierra Leone joined the list of states ratifying on Friday, becoming the 60th and 61st parts to the pact.
The treaty, officially known as Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of the marine biological diversity of areas beyond the national jurisdiction (Bbnj contract), was adopted by UN member states in June 2023 after Almost two decades of negotiations.
A historical achievement
Secretary General António Guterres praised the development, calling it a “Historical realization for the ocean and for multilateralism.“”
“In two years, States have transformed the commitment into action – proving what is possible when the nations unite for the common good,“He said in a statement.
“While we will face the triple planetary crisis in climate change, loss of biodiversity and pollution, This agreement is a lifeline for the ocean and humanity.“”
The Pact-also called “High Sea Treaty”-covers two thirds of the oceanic area of the world which is beyond national borders.
It establishes legally binding rules to keep and lastingly use marine biodiversity, share the advantages of more equitable marine genetic resources, create protected areas and strengthen scientific cooperation and capacity building.
Foundation of our existence
United Nations Environment Program (Dive) The Executive Director Inger Andersen also praised the milestone.
“” Our ocean is the foundation of our very existence. Today, we have taken an important step to save our ocean and to save our future, ”she said in a job on social networks.
Safeguard the future of humanity
The BBNJ agreement is based on the United Nations Convention on the Act of the Sea, considered as the “constitution of the oceans”.
Once the High Sea Treaty comes into force on January 17, 2026, it will provide a global framework to help achieve international biodiversity objectives, including the commitment to protect 30% of land and sea areas by 2030 as part of the global Kunming-Montreal biodiversity framework.
Mr. Guterres urged all the remaining UN member states to join the Treaty without delay and called on the partners to support its rapid and complete implementation.
“” Ocean health is the health of humanity,He said.
Publicado anteriormente en Almouwatin.
