Proving its leadership in marine ecology and the sustainable use of maritime resources, the Philippines—through Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro—formally deposited the instrument of ratification of the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

The turnover of the documents was done during the Treaty Event held at the UNGA headquarters in New York City on Wednesday, Sept. 24 (Manila time).

“This is a testament to the Philippines' leadership in efforts to advance global ocean governance, as a maritime and archipelagic nation,” Lazaro, who was together with Environment Secretary Raphael Lotilla, said in an X (formerly Twitter) post.

The BBNJ, also called the High Seas Treaty, is the third implementing agreement of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

It seeks to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction.

“We are proud to take this next step to be part of the growing family of States Parties the BBNJ Agreement. The Agreement is a milestone in addressing biological diversity loss and the degradation of ocean ecosystems,” Lazaro said.

“It is a crucial multilateral framework for an archipelagic state like the Philippines that is located in the world’s center of marine biodiversity, and bounded by the high seas in the Pacific and in the South China Sea. It further implements and reinforces the UNCLOS,” she added.

According to the secretary, the Philippines played an active role in the two-decade process that led to the BBNJ Agreement.

She said that throughout the process, the Philippines “advocated for the special recognition for archipelagic states – and together with other states, the common heritage of humankind, the fair and equitable sharing of benefits, as well as capacity building and marine technology transfer, particularly for developing states.”

This new agreement will deliver “tangible benefits” to the country as it ensures the health of the ocean and sustain fisheries, which will secure food and livelihood for millions of coastal families.

The DFA said it will also provide “area-based protections” in the high seas that could enhance fish stocks and it will provide capacity-building and marine technology transfer opportunities for Filipino scientists.

“The Philippines’ ratification of the BBNJ Agreement solidifies its commitment to uphold the rules-based order underpinned by international law, particularly by UNCLOS,” a statement from the DFA read.

“It also affirms the country’s responsibility to protect and preserve the marine environment, including in the high seas,” it added, pointing out the Philippines’ geographical proximity to resource-rich maritime features.

The BBNJ Agreement is the third implementing agreement to the UNCLOS.

President Marcos ratified it on June 18, 2024, while Senate’s concurrence followed on Sept. 17 this year.