On 12th April 2024, His Excellency Stan Smith, Permanent Representative of The Bahamas to the United Nations, signed the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use Of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (known as the “BBNJ Agreement”) at the Treaty Section of the United Nations in New York.
Signature to this historic agreement is an important step made by The Bahamas and reflects its unwavering commitment to safeguard our oceans which are the common heritage of all mankind. The BBNJ agreement which covers two-thirds of the world’s ocean seeks to promote the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity, to establish mechanisms for assets and benefits sharing of the ocean’s resources, to provide opportunities for capacity building, and to manage and ensure the appropriate transfer of marine technology, with particular focus on coastal, low-lying and small island developing states.
Negotiating as a bloc with other CARICOM Member States, from the first Inter-Government Conference (IGC) in 2018 to the Agreement’s adoption by the General Assembly on 19th June 2023, The Bahamas served on the Bureau for the IGC BBNJ process. In this role, The Bahamas contributed meaningfully to the drafting of the agreement to ensure that its provisions reflect the priorities and interests of the country and the region. Through signature, the country ensures that it will remain engaged and active as the BBJ Agreement moves into its implementation and operationalization phases.
The Bahamas signature takes place as representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of the Attorney-General, and The Bahamas’ Mission to the United Nations, participate in a CARICOM Multi-Stakeholder Group workshop which convened in Miami from 11th – 12th April, 2024. The goal of CARICOM’s Regional BBNJ workshop is to increase awareness of, and enhance engagement in the ratification and national incorporation of the BBNJ Agreement among stakeholders who are integral to advancing the work at the national and regional levels.
