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Sierra Leone’s Parliament has officially ratified the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, an international treaty under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
This agreement aims to establish equitable global ocean governance and promote sustainable marine conservation.
The ratification marks a key step for Sierra Leone in contributing to international efforts for ocean protection. The negotiation process for the BBNJ Agreement saw Sierra Leone play a prominent role, with Dr. Michael Imran Kanu, Sierra Leone’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, leading the Group of African Negotiators. The agreement was presented to the House of Parliament by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Timothy Kabba.
The BBNJ Agreement is set to provide several benefits, including the fair sharing of marine genetic resources and their associated benefits, improved access to tools for managing marine protected areas, and the implementation of environmental impact assessments for marine environments. It also emphasizes capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology to developing nations.
For Sierra Leone, the ratification is expected to enhance its capabilities in ocean governance and attract crucial technical and financial support through its benefit-sharing mechanisms. Furthermore, it is anticipated to bolster the nation’s efforts in combating the impacts of climate change and promote the sustainable use of marine genetic resources within its jurisdiction and beyond.
The ratification has been met with commendation for the House of Parliament, the Ministries of Environment and Climate Change, Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the BBNJ Ratification Committee, and other collaborating partners for their leadership and support throughout the process.
