“The agreement is a solid foundation to tackle urgent ocean threats,” says Rena Lee as she calls for swift global ratification.
Following a landmark agreement on the UN High Seas Treaty, Singapore’s Ambassador for Oceans and Law of the Sea, Rena Lee, has urged nations worldwide to sign and ratify the treaty without delay. The treaty, agreed upon by over 190 countries on March 4, provides the first-ever legal framework to protect vast areas of the high seas beyond national jurisdiction, covering two-thirds of the world’s oceans.
The treaty allows for the establishment of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to address critical threats such as overfishing, illegal activities, seabed mining, and climate impacts on marine biodiversity. However, with the treaty’s text finalized, it now faces a potentially lengthy ratification process, requiring endorsement from at least 60 countries before it can be enforced.
Ambassador Lee, who led the negotiations at the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), emphasized the need for immediate action, noting, “We cannot rely on the agreement alone; action should start now.” While the treaty sets no specific conservation targets, she described it as “a solid foundation” with mechanisms to address current ocean threats effectively.
Lee expressed hope for prompt adoption, remarking that the consensus reached demonstrates Singapore’s leadership in international negotiations. She also highlighted that while the treaty is a significant step, it is just the beginning of global efforts to protect high seas biodiversity and called on public and private sectors to support further ocean conservation initiatives.
With only 7.9 percent of the global ocean currently protected, the treaty opens doors to safeguarding large ocean areas as MPAs, crucial for biodiversity recovery. “The conclusion of negotiations is just the start,” said Lee, calling for increased awareness and action to preserve marine ecosystems for future generations.
