The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Treaty has entered into force, marking a significant moment in global ocean governance with the adoption of the first legally binding international framework dedicated to protecting biodiversity in the high seas.
The high seas account for nearly two thirds of the world’s ocean and lie beyond the jurisdiction of any single country. Despite their ecological importance, these areas have long been governed by fragmented rules under existing international law, leaving marine ecosystems vulnerable to overexploitation, pollution, and emerging activities such as deep sea mining. Negotiations on the BBNJ Treaty, conducted under the auspices of the United Nations, sought to address these gaps by creating a comprehensive framework for conservation and sustainable use.
In a statement shared on social media, the Ministry of Tourism and Environment described the treaty’s entry into force as a historic milestone in ocean governance. The Ministry said the agreement represents a major step forward in safeguarding biodiversity in the high seas and reaffirmed the Maldives’ commitment to marine conservation through multilateral cooperation.
The treaty introduces mechanisms to strengthen global cooperation on ocean protection, including the establishment of marine protected areas in international waters, requirements for environmental impact assessments for activities that may affect high seas ecosystems, and frameworks for sharing benefits derived from marine genetic resources. These measures are intended to balance conservation with sustainable use, particularly for developing and small island states that depend heavily on healthy ocean ecosystems.
Minister of Tourism and Environment Thoriq Ibrahim also welcomed the treaty’s entry into force, stating that the Maldives celebrates the achievement as an important advance in ocean governance and biodiversity conservation. He reiterated the country’s commitment to protecting the high seas, strengthening marine protected areas, and safeguarding marine ecosystems and resources through international cooperation.
For the Maldives, a low lying island nation highly dependent on the ocean for food security, livelihoods, and economic activity, the BBNJ Treaty carries particular significance. The agreement aligns with the country’s long-standing advocacy for stronger international action to protect marine ecosystems, recognising that threats to biodiversity beyond national boundaries ultimately affect coastal and island states.
The entry into force of the BBNJ Treaty is widely seen as a turning point in global ocean governance, shifting the focus from voluntary cooperation to binding commitments. For countries like the Maldives, it reinforces the principle that protecting the high seas is a shared responsibility and a necessary step toward ensuring the long-term sustainability of the world’s oceans.
