Maldives and Singapore for becoming the first Asian nations to officially ratify the new High Seas Treaty1, joining Palau, Chile, Belize, Seychelles, Monaco, Mauritius, the Federated States of Micronesia and Cuba as leaders in the Ratification Race2 .
Both nations formally deposited their ratifications during a special meeting on the Treaty, held at United Nations headquarters during the UN General Assembly this week, one year after the High Seas Treaty was officially opened for signature. Member States of the United Nations and the Race for Ratification will begin. In this way, the total number of countries that have ratified the Treaty rises to double digits.
Rebecca Hubbard, Director of High Seas Alliance, highlighted: “Today we applaud the Maldives and Singapore for incorporating Asia into the Ratification Race and bringing the world one step closer to the goal of achieving the 60 ratifications necessary for the Treaty to enter into force. vigor. The leadership these countries have shown in their rapid efforts to ratify the Treaty sends a clear message about the importance of working together to ensure better management of our ocean for future generations. “We hope that news of further ratifications will help inspire other countries in Asia and beyond to accelerate their own ratification efforts.”
He also applauded six countries – five of which are African States – for having signed the Treaty: Gambia, Liberia, Kenya, Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Sao Tome and Principe, and Jamaica. In total, 98 countries have signaled their intention to ratify by signing the Treaty, and 10 have ratified it3, with many other nations still in the ratification process at the national level.
Another 50 countries need to ratify the Treaty for it to enter into force and become the first international law mandating the conservation and management of biodiversity beyond national jurisdictions (BBNJ) throughout the world. world. Its entry into force will be a critical contribution to achieving international goals to reverse the climate and biodiversity crises, including the international goal of protecting at least 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030, agreed during the UN Biodiversity Summit. United Nations in December 2022.
The high seas, the shared international waters that cover half the planet, are home to some of the most important and most severely threatened ecosystems on Earth. A lack of governance has made it increasingly vulnerable to overexploitation, and it is one of the least protected areas on our planet, with only 1% highly protected today.
Rizza Sacra-Dejucos, Regional Coordinator for Asia at High Seas Alliance, commented: “When it comes into force, the High Seas Treaty will finally allow us to better defend our ocean from harmful activities and usher in a new era of ocean protection by creating of protected marine air networks in international waters. Likewise, it aims to correct inequalities between countries by guaranteeing access to greater financing, technology, tools and benefits of marine genetic resources. This is especially important for Asia, where many developing countries need support to step up action to protect some of the largest and most diverse marine ecosystems on the planet, which are under pressure from anthropogenic threats and the impacts of climate change.”
High Seas Alliance and its more than 60 member organizations are working with governments to secure the 60 ratifications needed for the High Seas Treaty to enter into force ahead of the United Nations Ocean Conference in France in June. 2025.
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