Nigeria To Partner ECOWAS in protecting marine areas 

By Zeniat Abubakar

Nigeria says it is committed to continue working with ECOWAS countries and other ambitious countries to seek the designation of effective marine protected areas in the global ocean.

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Environment Dr Iziaq Salako stated this at the High-Level event on High Ambition for High Seas holding on the sidelines of United Nations General Assembly Session in New York (UNGA 79).

He noted that Nigeria is playing an active role in the implementation of the “United Nations Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction” BBNJ Agreement treaty by seeking the designation of effective marine protected areas covering at least 30% of the Planet.

The Minister said the BBNJ Agreement will enable Nigeria to highly and fully protect at least 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030 by establishing enormous marine protected areas in the global ocean.

“I am so very pleased to be joining this event today for this very important celebration. Witnessing so many announcements being made regarding the signing of the BBNJ Agreement is a significant achievement and I am especially thrilled to see The Gambia and The Republic of Liberia joining us here today.

“Their engagement resonates with me as yet another clear signal that the ECOWAS region is united in actively pursuing the effective protection of at least 30% of the global ocean by 2030.” He explained.

Dr Salako, also noted that West Africa is on a clear path towards ensuring they are proactive and equipped to designate the first generation of highly and fully protected marine protected areas in the high-seas.

“We must hit the ground running the very moment the BBNJ Agreement comes into force because we are already behind. “ He said.

He said the ECOWAS region must use mechanisms approved in the BBNJ Agreement to establish highly and fully protected MPAs covering at least 30% of the global ocean by 2030.

“We all know that the BBNJ Treaty is the only international agreement available for establishing marine protected areas outside national boundaries.”

“In sub-region, we are acutely aware of how fast our oceans are being drained of their ability to support us. We know healthy oceans are essential for our region and we recognize with deep concern that our oceans are affected by processes far beyond our national boundaries.” The Minister stated.

Dr Salako, further stressed that with generous technical support from organizations like the Bloomberg Ocean Initiative and the Natural Resources Defense Council, more than half of all ECOWAS member States will have signed the BBNJ Agreement by the end of the UN General Assembly session and are now on the path to ratification.

“The road towards ratification remains arduous but we are definitely making progress and we are now projecting ourselves in the future to ensure we play an active role in the implementation of the treaty by seeking the designation of effective marine protected areas covering at least 30% of the Planet.” The Minister added