Cambodia has signed the Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), reaffirming its commitment to global marine conservation efforts.
The signing ceremony took place on June 9 (local time) in Nice, France, during the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3). H.E. Dr. Eang Sophalleth, Minister of Environment, represented Cambodia at the signing.
In his National Statement at the UNOC3, Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to becoming a party to the BBNJ Agreement, which was adopted on June 19, 2023.
“Today, I’m proud to announce that Cambodia will take the next step in formalising its commitment by signing the BBNJ Agreement. We urge transparency and the sharing of monetary and non-monetary benefits in the implementation of the Agreement,” said the Prime Minister.
He also called on the international community to provide essential technical and financial support to developing countries to enhance their capacity for marine conservation and sustainable resource management.
To date, 49 countries have ratified and 134 others have signed the BBNJ Agreement.
According to the UN Environment Programme, the BBNJ Agreement strengthens the global legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, that is the high seas and the deep sea bed combined. It aims to address the growing biodiversity crisis for ocean life outside the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
The Agreement is open for signature by all States and regional economic integration organisations from Sept. 20, 2023 to Sept. 20, 2025, and will enter into force 120 days after the date of deposit of the sixtieth instrument of ratification, approval, acceptance or accession.
