PH Poised to Lead in Global Ocean Conservation with New High Seas Treaty

The United Nations’ Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, also known as the High Seas Treaty, is drawing renewed attention in the Philippines as the international community prepares for the 3^rd UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France, on June 9.

The High Seas Alliance and Oceana organized a legislative forum on May 28 at the Conrad Hotel to underscore the urgency of ratification and encourage the Senate to approve the concurrence needed for the Philippines to ratify the treaty.

The BBNJ Agreement is the first legally binding international agreement focused on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in the high seas. These areas have historically suffered from fragmented management and a lack of coordinated rules, leaving them open to overexploitation, pollution, and the growing threats of climate change. The treaty seeks to address these challenges by establishing a framework for creating marine protected areas, conducting environmental impact assessments, and ensuring the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from marine genetic resources.

The treaty presents several avenues for engagement and benefits for the Philippines. As a country with one of the world’s richest marine biodiversity profiles, the Philippines stands to gain from the treaty’s mechanisms for scientific research, data access, and participation in global knowledge repositories.

Marie Fontanel, French Ambassador to the Philippines, emphasized that "in Nice, we look at obtaining 60 ratifications. There is room for optimism in the next two weeks. The Philippines’ ratification is of utmost importance, and the country’s diplomatic agenda as a champion of international law is very aligned and coherent with the BBNJ.”

The BBNJ Treaty’s provisions on marine genetic resources are particularly relevant for the Philippines, which is considered one of the 17 megadiverse countries in the world. They ensure that monetary and non-monetary benefits, such as access to samples and increased scientific cooperation, are shared fairly among all parties.

The Treaty also emphasizes the importance of capacity building and technology transfer, which are vital for developing countries. For the Philippines, this means greater access to technical support, training, and tools for marine science, monitoring, and compliance.

These resources are designed to help countries implement and manage high-seas marine protected areas and benefit from the marine resources and services that healthy ocean ecosystems provide, such as climate regulation, food security, and livelihood support.

The Philippines’ active participation in the Treaty’s implementation is crucial for ensuring that the perspectives of our archipelagic nation are represented in the decision-making processes leading up to and following the first Conference of Parties.

Rizza Sacra-Dejucos, Asia Regional Coordinator for the High Seas Alliance, highlighted the treaty's significance for the country and the region. “By ratifying the Treaty, the Philippines will reaffirm its leadership in marine conservation, strengthen its regional cooperation, and benefit from new scientific, technological, and financial resources. It will also ensure that the Philippines has a voice in shaping the future of global ocean governance at a time when decisions will affect generations to come,” said Dejucos.

With 115 signatories and 28 ratifications to date, the treaty is steadily progressing toward the 60 ratifications needed for entry into force. Reaching 60 ratifications is essential because it triggers the formal entry into force of the BBNJ Treaty, allowing its provisions to become international law and enabling the first Conference of Parties to convene. Achieving this milestone by the UN Ocean Conference next month would empower participating countries to propose, adopt, and implement marine protected areas in the high seas, a critical step toward meeting global biodiversity targets.