Nigeria Joins UN Pact for Global Marine Conservation

Nigeria and the United Nations have officially sealed a pact to safeguard the precious marine biological diversity beyond national borders.

The Treaty on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdictions (BBNJ) underscores pivotal concerns surrounding marine genetic resources. Its core tenets include the principles of fair and equitable benefit-sharing and the implementation of area-based management strategies.

The signing ceremony was held at the Treaty Signature Room at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Overseeing this historic occasion was the Chief of the Treaty Section, Mr. David Nanopoulos, ensuring the procedural integrity of the event.

Nigeria, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Adamu I. Lamuwa, lent its official endorsement to the treaty, solidifying its commitment to global marine conservation efforts.

In a formal statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs illuminated the significance of the BBNJ Agreement: “The BBNJ Agreement addresses critical issues affecting marine biodiversity conservation on a global scale. It emphasizes the fair and equitable sharing of marine genetic resources, the establishment of area-based management tools like MPAs, conducting environmental impact assessments, and fostering capacity-building and technology transfer in marine conservation efforts.”

Also Read: Nigeria pledges to reduce Marine Plastic Pollution

Nigeria’s participation in the treaty underscores its commitment to global environmental stewardship and signifies a step towards sustainable marine resource management and conservation efforts on an international scale and capacity-building in marine technology transfer.

“The BBNJ Agreement, adopted on June 19th, 2023, during the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction under the auspices of the United Nations, has been open for signature since September 20th, 2023.

“The BBNJ Agreement remains open for signature until September 20th, 2025. It will enter into force 120 days after the sixtieth instrument of ratification, approval, acceptance, or accession is deposited,” the statement added.

90 countries have so far signed the BBNJ Agreement, with Nigeria being the ninetieth signatory. Four countries, including Belize, Palau, Seychelles, and Chile, have already ratified the agreement.

The signed treaty has become the third implementing agreement to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.