Singapore Commits to Swift Ratification of Landmark Ocean Conservation Agreement
SINGAPORE: The adoption of a historic United Nations treaty to protect the high seas has been lauded as a “collective game changer” by Singapore’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Vivian Balakrishnan. Speaking at the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) in New York, Dr. Balakrishnan affirmed Singapore’s commitment to ratifying the treaty at the earliest opportunity.
He announced that Singapore will sign the BBNJ agreement when it opens for signatures on September 20 and urged other UN member states to also prioritize early adoption. The BBNJ agreement, a product of negotiations chaired by Singapore’s oceans ambassador Rena Lee, is designed to protect marine biodiversity in areas beyond national borders, including mandatory environmental impact assessments for proposed activities in these international waters.
Dr. Balakrishnan described the treaty’s adoption as a “victory for international law,” marking a milestone that reinforces the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). He emphasized that the agreement aligns with UNCLOS by establishing rules for the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources in international waters, thereby enhancing the legal framework governing ocean activities.
Highlighting the ocean’s global significance as a source of food, jobs, and trade, Dr. Balakrishnan said, “This agreement is a collective game changer for our efforts to conserve marine biodiversity and represents progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 14, which aims to protect marine resources for all humanity.”
Singapore’s commitment to the agreement reflects its deep ties to the ocean, integral to its people and economy. Dr. Balakrishnan stressed that multilateral cooperation under the UN’s guidance is vital for upholding international law, particularly for small states dependent on the global commons. He praised Mrs. Lee and the negotiating delegates for their efforts, expressing Singapore’s pride in her leadership during the negotiations.
