The Department of Agriculture has pledged full support to the Department of Foreign Affairs in pushing for Senate concurrence on the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, or BBNJ.
The treaty is vital for an archipelagic country like the Philippines, not only in safeguarding global marine resources but also in strengthening its role in shaping international marine policy, supporting coastal communities and advancing biodiversity protection in line with the 2016 South China Sea Arbitration Award.
“The BBNJ Agreement is crucial for conserving and sustainably managing marine biodiversity in areas beyond the Philippines’ jurisdiction, allowing the country to safeguard its rich marine ecosystems while ensuring fair access to and equitable sharing of benefits from marine genetic resources,” said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ratified the treaty in 2024, a year after its adoption, but Senate approval remains pending.
An implementing agreement under United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, or UNCLOS, the BBNJ covers conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, such as the high seas.
The Philippines, an early signatory and active participant in negotiations, is seeking Senate concurrence after the treaty was resubmitted in the 20th Congress.
Once approved, the Philippines’ instrument of ratification will be deposited with the UN Secretary-General.
Agriculture Undersecretary for Fisheries Drusila Esther Bayate noted that ratification will allow the country to join the first Conference of Parties, or COP1, expected to convene once 60 instruments have been deposited.
As of the end of August, 55 states have ratified the treaty. A special signing event at the UN General Assembly from Sept. 23 to 26 is expected to push the tally to 60, triggering the agreement’s entry into force.
