Phl Reaffirms Commitment to Ratify, Promote High Seas Treaty

The Philippines reaffirmed its commitment to the early ratification and entry into force of the Agreement on the Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) in its participation in events at the Third United Nations Oceans Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France.

- - Pia Lee-Brago

The Philippine advocacy for the BBNJ Agreement—also commonly referred to as the High Seas Treaty—was articulated by Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Undersecretary Drusila Esther Bayate during a high-level side event titled "Celebrating High Seas Progress: The Race for Ratification and Impending Entry into Force of the High Seas Treaty" and co-sponsored by Belgium, Chile, Costa Rica, France, European Union, Germany, Korea, Nigeria, Maldives, Palau, the Philippines and Seychelles, at the UNOC3 Blue Zone.

The side event provided a venue for participants to highlight the progress their countries have made toward the ratification of the BBNJ Agreement, and their respective domestic initiatives to promote the agreement's prompt and effective implementation.