Latest news with #BBNJ
Economist
20-05-2025
- General
- Economist
How to realise the opportunities for small island developing states under the BBNJ Agreement
The UN's Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, also known as the 'high-seas treaty', provides a framework for equitable access to, and sustainable management of, marine resources in areas of the ocean beyond national territory. As significant stakeholders, small island developing states (SIDS) stand to benefit greatly from the agreement. But first they must overcome challenges related to ratification, capacity-building and implementation. Participants at this 'How to' session strategised how to help SIDS maximise the potential of the BBNJ agreement, with a particular focus on the ratification process. Discussions explored how to resolve obstacles preventing broader adoption of the treaty and how to develop incentives or mechanisms that can drive ratification among non-signatory SIDS. The workshop focused on how to transpose the agreement's provisions into national frameworks and how to create capacity-building programmes to support asset-sharing, utilise marine genetic resources efficiently and incorporate environmental impact assessments. The session examined funding models, international partnerships and the integration of traditional knowledge into marine governance. Attendees left with an understanding of the steps needed to encourage the ratification and implementation of the BBNJ Agreement and unlock its benefits for SIDS. Speakers:
Maroc
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Maroc
Morocco Committed to Sustainable Ocean Governance
Morocco's Secretary of State for Maritime Fisheries, Zakia Driouich, reaffirmed on Friday in Bouknadel Morocco's strong commitment to sustainable ocean governance, in line with the High Royal Directives. Speaking at the opening of the high-level preparatory workshop for the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC-3), scheduled from June 9 to 13, 2025, in Nice, Driouich recalled that Morocco has adopted an ambitious roadmap for the blue economy, noted a press release from the Secretariat of State for Maritime Fisheries. Driouich also stated that this roadmap includes an integrated maritime legal framework, fishery management plans, the development of Marine Protected Areas, and the fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing, according to the press release. On this occasion, she praised the crucial role of the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection, notably through its flagship initiatives such as Clean Beaches, Blue Flag, and #b7arblaplastic. She also emphasized the importance of involving youth and civil society in these efforts, recalling the participation of more than 500 young people in the African consultation held in Tangier in October 2024, and the engagement of over 950 young African experts in the oceanography capacity-building program launched in November 2024. In addition, Driouich stressed the need for a strong, coordinated African voice at UNOC-3, drawing in particular on the outcomes of key events organized in Morocco, such as the African consultation in Tangier, the Blue Africa Summit Forum, and the regional BBNJ workshop in Rabat. In this regard, she called for the promotion of African initiatives in ocean governance, the mobilization of blue financing, and the strengthening of North-South, South-South, and triangular partnerships. Furthermore, Driouich recalled that Morocco was one of the first countries to ratify the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), demonstrating its commitment to the sustainable management of marine resources, in line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 on life below water. She concluded by reaffirming the Kingdom's readiness, under the enlightened leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, to share its experience and support African partners in developing an inclusive and sustainable blue economy, while stressing the need to anchor these efforts in a vision of food sovereignty, regional integration, and shared prosperity. MAP:10 mai 2025
Korea Herald
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
S. Korea confirms ratification of UN agreement on marine biological diversity
South Korea has formally confirmed its ratification of a UN agreement on the sustainable use of marine biological diversity, becoming the first East Asian country to do so, Seoul's foreign ministry said Thursday. South Korean Ambassador to the UN Hwang Joon-kook deposited an instrument of the ratification for the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction agreement to the UN secretary-general, the ministry said in a release. The BBNJ is a legally binding agreement established in response to growing concerns over the destruction of marine ecosystems in areas beyond national jurisdiction, where no specific regulatory framework exists. It aims to create an international legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in the high seas and deep seabed. The agreement was adopted by the UN in June 2023 and South Korea signed it in October of the same year. South Korea has become the 21st country to ratify the agreement and the first in East Asia to do so. The agreement will take effect 120 days after 60 countries ratify it. Once the agreement comes into force, it is expected to enhance marine biodiversity protection through measures such as the establishment of marine protected areas and implementation of environmental impact assessments, the ministry said. South Korea has decided to include an exception ensuring that the agreement will not apply retroactively to marine genetic resources acquired before its enforcement, a measure to minimize the impact on domestic industries and research, the ministry said. (Yonhap)
