Parliamentary approval to be sought to sign treaty on conservation of biodiversity in high seas

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, upon the recommendation of his cabinet, has decided to seek parliamentary approval to sign 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 Treaty)’.

As per the President’s Office, the decision was made following a deliberation on paper submitted by the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy at Sunday’s cabinet meeting.

The treaty, according to the office, was formulated to facilitate the conservation, preservation, and sustainable utilization of the biodiversity and territorial waters of the High Seas. It also represents a significant international endeavor aimed at safeguarding marine ecosystems within the High Sea.

Given the status of Maldives as a small island nation – the President’s Office cites active participation in such a treaty as imperative to promote the protection and sustainable management of maritime domains.

The BBNJ treaty has 83 signatory nations as of present.