The Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) has been tabled for Senate ratification. This Agreement addresses the urgent need to protect marine biodiversity on the high seas that cover two-thirds of the global ocean beyond countries’ exclusive economic zones. It establishes mechanisms for creating marine protected areas, sharing benefits from marine genetic resources, conducting rigorous environmental impact assessments, and fostering capacity-building and technology transfer. The Agreement aims to support sustainable marine resource use, safeguard ocean ecosystems, and advance global efforts to protect at least 30% of the ocean by 2030 while ensuring collaboration with other international bodies.
