Djibouti Ratifies BBNJ High Seas Treaty and Advocates Stronger Global Ocean Cooperation at Nice Conference

DJIBOUTI, (Hornpost) Djibouti has officially ratified the United Nations agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, a move the government hailed as a key step toward strengthening its environmental policy and international cooperation.
Law No. 181/AN/25/9e L, which ratifies this agreement known as the BBNJ Treaty (Biodiversity beyond National Jurisdiction), was signed today by President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, making the Republic of Djibouti the 52nd country to formally adopt it
The treaty was initially adopted on June 19, 2023, in New York, following nearly two decades of international negotiations.
Aimed at filling the legal gap in high seas governance, the BBNJ agreement establishes mechanisms for:
Fair sharing of marine genetic resources,
Technology transfer and Capacity-building for developing countries, especially in Africa
The treaty will enter into force 120 days after the 60th ratification.
“This new instrument will allow our country to fully benefit from scientific, technical, and legal knowledge relating to marine biodiversity,” said Djibouti’s Minister of Environment, Mohamed Abdoulkader Moussa Helem, during the treaty’s approval in Parliament.
The Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development will lead the treaty’s implementation, with a focus on conserving marine areas beyond national jurisdiction and developing local expertise.
The ratification coincided with Djibouti’s participation in the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 3), held in Nice, France, from June 9 to 14. President Guelleh was represented there by the Environment Minister, who was accompanied by a diplomatic and technical delegation.
Co-chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron and Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves, the conference brought together more than 50 heads of state and government, 15,000 scientists, NGO representatives, maritime sector officials, and about 2,000 journalists. The goal was to secure concrete commitments toward Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14, which concerns the conservation of marine life.
In his speech at the conference, Djibouti’s Minister of Environment emphasized the vital role oceans play in global food security. He outlined national efforts to protect marine ecosystems, including the creation of marine protected areas and the revision of legislation on marine species.
Calling for “stronger international cooperation,” he advocated for the establishment of a global fund dedicated to supporting coastal countries in taking concrete action to protect the world’s oceans.
Hornpost staff Reporter
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