The Secretariat of the Wider Caribbean Ocean Coordination Mechanism joins the international community in celebrating a historic achievement: the entry into force, on the past January 17, of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ). This treaty, the result of nearly two decades of negotiation, marks a turning point towards the transformation of ocean governance beyond national borders, those waters that, in reality, belong to us all.
Known as the "High Seas Treaty", its objective is clear: to manage more than two-thirds of the ocean surface in a sustainable manner and protect this planetary habitat that lies beneath the waves. But it is not only a protection agreement. It is, in fact, the first legally binding instrument that explicitly integrates principles of inclusive governance in international waters. The Agreement contemplates principles of participation for indigenous peoples, local communities, and gender equality. Its full implementation will be a powerful tool to confront the triple planetary crisis that threatens our common future.
The significance for the Wider Caribbean: From text to action
For our region, the entry into force of the BBNJ Agreement transcends the symbolic and acquires a practical and strategic relevance. Natural oceanic processes do not know political borders. The connectivity of our marine ecosystems links our jurisdictional waters with the high seas in an inseparable way. What happens beyond our Exclusive Economic Zones directly impacts the health of our reefs, the productivity of our fisheries, and, ultimately, the resilience of our coasts.
This framework is particularly crucial for the Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS), nations whose identity, food security, and economy are intrinsically linked to the health of the ocean. The Treaty offers a legal mechanism to influence the management of areas that, although distant, are vital for our well-being.
It is encouraging to note the commitment demonstrated by the countries of the region: a significant number of Wider Caribbean States have already deposited their signature, and an important group has taken the decisive step of ratification, positioning the region not as a spectator, but as an active participant in this new phase of ocean governance.
The entry into force is not the culmination, but the beginning of the real work. The challenge now is to transition towards effective and equitable implementation. This means ensuring that the resources of marine biodiversity are not only conserved, but that their sustainable use contributes to the development of our countries. The BBNJ Agreement opens doors to marine scientific research, to the fair distribution of benefits derived from marine genetic resources, and to the establishment of area-based management tools.
The success of this Treaty in our region demands that these processes be conducted with the significant participation of coastal local communities, whose traditional knowledge is invaluable, and critically, with an effective gender approach that ensures that women, key protagonists in the management of marine and coastal resources, have a recognized voice and leadership in decision-making.
The first meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) of the Agreement must be convened within the next year. It is an auspicious moment to prepare and strengthen regional dialogue, ensuring that the Wider Caribbean not only adapts to this new era of ocean governance, but helps to shape it, for a healthy global ocean and for a prosperous and resilient Caribbean.
