The Maldives became the 92nd signatory of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, with the Maldives’ Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ali Naseer Mohamed, signing the Agreement during an event at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on Tuesday, 3 September 2024.
The Cabinet approved the signing and ratification of the Agreement on 11 February, with the government then going on to submit the decision for parliamentary approval on 29 February — parliamentary approval was granted on 13 May.
Following the signing, Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Energy Thoriq Ibrahim, posting to social media, said it was a historical breakthrough and key milestone towards conservation and sustainable use of the nation’s ocean resources.
“The people of #Maldives heavily rely on the protection and conservation of the ocean. The BBNJ Agreement will galvanise efforts to protect marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, which in turn would boost our tourism and fisheries industries… The #Maldives stands ready to do our part,” Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer said in a post to social media, signalling the Maldives’ readiness towards multilateral cooperation and highlighting President Mohamed Muizzu’s commitment towards protecting the Maldives ocean and biodiversity.
Even as the protection of biodiversity within the Maldives’ territorial waters falls on the Maldives, the responsibility also includes ensuring that the areas beyond its national jurisdiction and the biological diversity contained within are protected and sustainably used, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
The BBNJ agreement sets up a framework to establish marine protected areas and contains marine technological transfer mechanisms and formalities relating to fighting climate change.
Eight countries have already ratified the Agreement, which is open for signature by all countries until 20 September 2025. It will enter into force 120 days after the 60th country ratifies the Agreement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
