States Reaffirm Commitment to Multilateralism at the Opening for Signature of the BBNJ Agreement during the Annual Treaty Event

In a considerable display of support for 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 (known as the BBNJ Agreement), 80 States and the European Union signed the Agreement during the Annual Treaty Event, which was organized by OLA on the sidelines of the high-level week of the 78^th General Assembly.

The Agreement, which was adopted on 19 June 2023, is expected to make crucial contributions towards reversing the decline in ocean health by increasing ecosystem resilience and promoting a more sustainable management of ocean activities in over two-thirds of the oceans. As such, it is vital in efforts to address the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, and achieve the ocean-related goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

The Agreement garnered signatories from all UN regional groups on the day of its opening for signature on 20 September and in the following days, including 12 African States, 18 Asia-Pacific States, 10 Eastern European States, 16 Latin American and Caribbean States, and 22 Western European and other States.

The high level at which States, and the European Union, were represented is a testament to the importance of the Agreement for the international community. Signatories included 11 heads of State, 11 heads of Government, the President of the Council of the European Union, the President of the European Commission, 56 ministers, and two permanent representatives.  

The BBNJ Agreement remains open for signature until 20 September 2025. It shall enter into force 120 days after the date of deposit of the sixtieth instrument of ratification, approval, acceptance or accession.