The Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) was adopted on 19 June 2023 by the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction convened under the auspices of the United Nations. The BBNJ Agreement becomes the third implementing agreement to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The agreement focuses on four key issues critical to the sustainable use and conservation of marine biodiversity. It addresses marine genetic resources, emphasizing the fair and equitable sharing of benefits derived from them. Additionally, it includes measures like area-based management tools, such as marine protected areas, to safeguard marine ecosystems. The agreement also mandates the conduct of environmental impact assessments to evaluate and mitigate the potential effects of activities on marine environments. Furthermore, it prioritizes capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology to support developing nations in achieving sustainable ocean governance.
Non-Aligned Movement has welcomed the adoption of the BBNJ Agreement. At the NAM Summit held in Kampala in 2024, NAM reiterated the importance of this new legally binding instrument as satisfying the need for the comprehensive global regime under the Convention to better address the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction and contributing to the realization of a just and equitable international economic order which takes into account the interests and needs of humankind as a whole and, in particular, the special interests and needs of developing States, whether coastal or landlocked, through capacity-building and the development and transfer of marine technology, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from activities with respect to marine genetic resources and digital sequence information on marine genetic resources of areas beyond national jurisdiction and encouraged its Member States to sign this important instrument.
On December 19, 2024, Grenada became a signatory to the BBNJ Agreement reiterating the country’s commitment to advancing global ocean conservation. According to a statement by the Grenada Prime Minister’s Office, “Grenada’s signing reflects a growing consensus among Caribbean nations on the importance of marine conservation. Other countries in the region, including Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, have also signed the agreement. Among these, Barbados, Belize, and Saint Lucia have already ratified the treaty, demonstrating their commitment to advancing its objectives. For Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like Grenada, the treaty provides a crucial framework for safeguarding marine resources, which are integral to economic growth, food security, and cultural heritage.”
The process leading to Grenada’s signing was spearheaded by Ambassador Jerry Enoe, Special Envoy for Oceans, Government of Grenada, who led a collaborative process that contributed to Grenada’s active participation in collective international efforts to protect marine biodiversity and promote sustainable ocean governance. Ambassador Jerry Enoe, Special Envoy for Oceans, and Ambassador Che A. Phillip, Grenada’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, were present at the historic signing to sign on behalf of Grenada.
Commenting upon the significance of Grenada signing the Treaty, Ambassador Jerry Enoe remarked, “The signing of this treaty is a momentous achievement for Grenada and a testament to our unwavering commitment to the sustainable use and conservation of marine biodiversity. This step is about protecting the oceans and securing our people’s and our economy’s future. Grenada stands ready to work alongside our Caribbean neighbours and the global community to ensure that the high seas remain a source of life, prosperity, and resilience,”
Grenada intends to ratify the treaty soon and initiate its domestic implementation, ensuring the integration of its principles into national frameworks. This effort aligns with the country’s commitment to conserving marine biodiversity and promoting the sustainable use of ocean resources in support of its Blue Economy goals. The government also reaffirms its dedication to collaborating with regional and international partners to effectively implement the agreement and safeguard the health and productivity of the world’s oceans for future generations.
