The Cabinet recommends signing the ‘Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction'

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, upon recommendation from the Cabinet, has decided to submit the text of the ‘Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Treaty)’ to the Parliament for their approval.

The decision was made following discussions on a paper submitted by the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy during today’s Cabinet meeting.

The treaty was formulated to facilitate the conservation, preservation, and sustainable utilisation of the biodiversity and territorial waters of the High Seas. The treaty additionally represents a significant international endeavour aimed at safeguarding marine ecosystems within the High Sea. Given the status of the Maldives as a small island nation, active participation in such a treaty is imperative to promote the protection and sustainable management of maritime domains.

The BBNJ treaty has 83 signatory nations to date.