22-9-2023 (NEW YORK) The Philippines has signed the groundbreaking United Nations High Seas Treaty, which aims to provide stronger protection for oceans within the framework of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo expressed his honor in signing the historic agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement, commonly known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) treaty or High Seas Treaty. In a social media post on X (formerly Twitter), he stated, “The Philippines is proud to take this step to protect the world’s oceans for present & future generations.”
Manalo is currently in New York City leading the Philippine delegation to the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week, taking place from September 18 to 26.
After nearly two decades of negotiations, the UN oceans treaty, which safeguards marine biodiversity, was agreed upon in June. It is the first-ever treaty dedicated to protecting the high seas, areas beyond any country’s national jurisdiction.
As of September 21, almost 70 countries have signed the UN High Seas Treaty, which aims to enhance the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in over two-thirds of the world’s oceans.
In June, the agreement received ratification from the UN’s 193 member-states, including the Philippines, through their domestic processes. The High Seas Treaty will come into force once it has been ratified by 60 countries.
According to the Philippine Mission to the UN in New York, the BBN Agreement, which establishes rules for protecting the environment and preventing disputes over natural resources, shipping, and other matters in waters beyond national jurisdiction, was adopted by consensus. Delegates erupted into applause following its adoption.
The Philippines actively participated in the process leading up to the agreement’s adoption, spanning two decades.
The high seas, which encompass nearly half of the planet, refer to the ocean area beyond countries’ exclusive economic zones, extending 200 nautical miles from coastlines.
One of the key provisions of the treaty is the ability to establish protected marine areas in international waters. Currently, only around one percent of the high seas are protected by conservation measures.
The treaty also introduces requirements for conducting environmental impact studies for proposed activities in the high seas. While the text does not specify the activities, they could include fishing, maritime transport, deep-sea mining, or even geo-engineering programs aimed at combating global warming.
