PRESS RELEASE / High Seas Alliance / Nations prepare for its entry into force – New York, June 19, 2024: One year since the historic High Seas Treaty1 to protect biodiversity beyond national jurisdictions (BBNJ ) was officially adopted by UN Member States2 on June 19, 2023, the High Seas Alliance has started the one-year countdown to reach the goal of obtaining the 60 ratifications needed for the entry into force of the Treaty by the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in June 2025, in France.
The countdown began a week before UN member states meet at UN headquarters in New York to plan for the Treaty’s entry into force at the first meeting of the Preparatory Commission for the Treaty. BBNJ agreement from June 24 to 26, 2024.3.
“Today, the countdown for all nations to ratify the High Seas Treaty within one year has begun. The Treaty represents a historic step forward for humanity: it is a momentous opportunity to protect life in the world’s oceans beyond our national borders. To achieve our collective goal of securing the 60 ratifications needed for the Treaty to enter into force by June 2025, all nations must accelerate the race to ratification.4 so that we can turn words into active ocean protections on as quickly as possible. The clock is turning ! » says Rebecca Hubbard, director of the High Seas Alliance.
Once 60 countries have ratified the High Seas Treaty, it will come into force and become the first international law in the world to mandate the conservation and management of biodiversity beyond national jurisdictions (BBNJ), thus enabling the establishing Marine Protected Areas on the high seas, and regulating potentially harmful activities through comprehensive environmental impact assessments. To date, 90 countries have signed5 the Treaty and many more are in the process of ratifying it. Yet, a year after its adoption, only seven countries – Palau, Chile, Belize, Seychelles, Monaco, Mauritius and the Federal States of Micronesia – have officially ratified it. . Meanwhile, political momentum is building with 34 countries determined to secure the 60 ratifications needed for it to come into force by June 2025.
The High Seas – the ocean beyond countries’ maritime borders – covers half the planet and plays a vital role in regulating our climate by absorbing around 30% of the CO2 produced by humans each year. This vast ocean area is home to some of the most important, yet critically endangered, ecosystems on the planet. However, the lack of governance makes it increasingly vulnerable to human overexploitation. Currently, it is the least protected area on our planet; only 1.5% is fully protected.
Transforming the High Seas Treaty into action on water is a crucial step towards achieving international goals to reverse the climate and biodiversity crises, including the international goal to protect at least 30% of land and seas of the planet by 2030, agreed at the United Nations global meeting. Biodiversity Summit in December 2022.
1. The High Seas Alliance sometimes uses the term “High Seas Treaty” as shorthand for the BBNJ Agreement. It recognizes that the scope of the BBNJ agreement encompasses all areas beyond national jurisdiction, including the seabed and the water column. This choice of wording aims to facilitate understanding for a broad audience and does not give priority to the components or principles of the BBNJ Agreement.
2. The United Nations has 193 member states. See the full list on the High Seas Alliance Ratification Tracker.
3. From June 24 to 26, 2024, UN Member States will convene in a meeting of the Preparatory Commission for the BBNJ Agreement5 to prepare for the entry into force of the BBNJ Agreement and the convening of the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP) to the Agreement. They will discuss organizational matters, including the election of co-chairs and a bureau, meeting dates and the work program of the Commission. Read our recommendations here.
4. Track countries’ progress on the High Seas Treaty and learn more about #RaceForRatification at www.highseasalliance.org/treaty-ratification or learn more about the High Seas Treaty in this factsheet and FAQ .
5. Signature does not establish the consent of States to be bound by the treaty, but it expresses the willingness of the signatory State to continue the process of developing the treaty and proceeding with its ratification. Signature also creates an obligation to refrain, in good faith, from any act that would defeat the object and purpose of the Treaty. After signing, countries can ratify the agreement at any time. The text of the Treaty specifies that this Agreement will be open for signature by all States from September 20, 2023 and will remain open for signature at UN headquarters in New York until September 20, 2025. Once this period has passed , States will be able to adhere to it by adhering to the Agreement. Agreement. Accession refers to the act by which a state expresses its consent to be bound by an agreement. This can take place after a treaty enters into force.
Ratification This is when nations formally consent to new international law, which often involves ensuring that their domestic laws comply with it. The speed and process of ratification vary by country. In some countries the act of ratification is simply a decree of the ruler, while in others the approval of Parliament is required.
Originally published in The European Times.
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