Earth needs real action

Today, countries across the globe mark Earth Day, an annual event aimed at demonstrating their commitment to protecting the environment.

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While Thailand is still plagued by a plethora of pollution-related problems, there are still reasons for Thais to remain optimistic.

Last Thursday, Cherdchai Chaivaivid, the Thai permanent representative to the United Nations, took part in the signing of the UN Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBJN Treaty) in New York, which officially made Thailand the 113th country to sign the agreement.

At present, the BBJN Treaty has yet to come into effect, as the agreement needs to be ratified by 60 countries for it to come into force. To date, out of the 113 countries which have signed the treaty, only 21 have ratified the agreement.

That said, the BBJN Treaty is important as it sets the tone for the equitable and sustainable use of marine resources by the global community.