The Pacific Ocean Commissioner, Filimon Manoni, has welcomed the entry into force of the landmark Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement that came into effect yesterday, describing it as a major achievement for international ocean governance and Pacific leadership.
In a statement, Dr Manoni said the agreement’s commencement marked “an auspicious occasion and a triumph in our united efforts on oceans management and oceans governance”.
“The entry into force of the BBNJ Agreement marks an important milestone in international treaty making,” he said, noting that the agreement was shaped by more than 20 years of negotiations in which Pacific countries played an active and influential role.
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 was adopted on June 19, 2023, becoming the third implementing agreement under UNCLOS.
Dr Manoni said the BBNJ Agreement provides, for the first time, a binding legal framework to manage marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdictions — areas often described as a global “management blind spot”.
“The BBNJ Agreement is a package deal addressing marine genetic resources and equitable benefit sharing, area-based management tools, environmental impact assessments, and the transfer of marine technology,” he said.
“It is aimed at conserving and sustainably using marine biological diversity for present and future generations.”
He acknowledged the leadership of Pacific nations, singling out the Federated States of Micronesia as the first UN member to sign the agreement and Palau as the first to ratify it. Eight Pacific countries have now ratified the treaty.
“Today, there are 145 signatories and 83 parties to the BBNJ Agreement, but this must not stop here,” Dr Manoni said.
“We must work together to ensure true universalisation of the treaty.”
He said the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC) had been mandated by Pacific Islands Forum leaders to coordinate regional efforts on the treaty and has since conducted national workshops, regional meetings and policy support across the region.
“While we have good cause to celebrate, the real work lies ahead,” Dr Manoni said.
“Laying the groundwork now is crucial to ensure effective participation and implementation. OPOC, together with our regional partners, will continue supporting Pacific members to make this a success.”
He added that the BBNJ Agreement would help realise the Forum Leaders’ vision of effectively managing 100 per cent of the Pacific Ocean, both within and beyond national jurisdictions.
