CARICOM Member States are inspired to alternate experiences within the signature and ratification strategy of the brand new international treaty on the administration of marine Biodiversity Past Nationwide Jurisdictions (BBNJ).
The United Nations Normal Meeting authorized the BBNJ in June 2023 and the treaty was open for signature in September 2023. Up to now, 89 UN Member international locations have signed the settlement, together with six CARICOM Member States – Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, The Bahamas, Dominica, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Belize has since ratified, turning into the primary CARICOM Member State to take action. The BBNJ will “enter into pressure” when no less than 60 international locations ratify it.
CARICOM Member States have been actively engaged from the outset of the negotiations and have been vocal leaders in all points of the negotiation course of. To take care of energetic engagement, CARICOM’s Council for Overseas and Group Relations mandated the formation of a Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Group (MSAG) to assist and information international locations to ratification and early implementation of the treaty.
At a workshop in Miami, Florida, 11-12 April 2024, Lisa Shoman, CARICOM Normal Counsel, referred to as for open dialogue relating to experiences on the nationwide degree.
“The Regulation of the Sea and its numerous implementing devices have been an incredible equalizer for this Area – whether or not it was delimitation of our unique financial zones, administration of fish shares essential to our meals safety or administration of seabed assets. This new settlement isn’t any completely different. It presents a possibility for us to broaden our capacities and capabilities and to maneuver extra strategically to managing and benefitting from the huge pure assets represented by the Oceans that encompass us. Certainly, for these of us who’ve dedicated to constructing blue economies, the structure of the Sea is a vital instrument in administration,” the Normal Counsel mentioned on the opening of the workshop.
The workshop introduced collectively treaty negotiators, representatives from the places of work of Attorneys-Normal throughout the Area, and technical consultants on oceans and biodiversity. It was aimed toward elevating consciousness of the brand new treaty on the nationwide degree, given its potential for blue financial progress. Contributors mentioned the legislative and institutional evaluation towards the ratification and nationwide incorporation of the settlement, in addition to the fast capability wants for nationwide incorporation and potential donor assist. Additionally they recognized CARICOM’s priorities for the upcoming preparatory organizational assembly and the session of the Preparatory Fee of the Treaty.
The workshop was made doable by the type assist of The Ocean Voices Programme in addition to the PEW Charitable Belief.
