Fiji Ratifies Historic High Seas Treaty at UN Ocean Conference

Fiji has taken a significant step in global ocean conservation by formally depositing its instruments of ratification for the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdictions (BBNJ) agreement at the United Nations.

The move, announced yesterday (9 June 2025) during the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, underscores Fiji’s growing leadership and commitment to protecting marine life in areas beyond national jurisdiction — commonly known as the high seas.

Fiji’s Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Mosese Bulitavu, completed the official deposit with Elinor Jane Britt Hammarskjöld, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and United Nations Legal Counsel.

“This marks a formal endorsement of the historic BBNJ treaty, which is a critical tool for strengthening international cooperation and governance of marine biodiversity in international waters,” Minister Bulitavu said.

The High Seas Treaty — adopted by the UN in 2023 after nearly two decades of negotiations — aims to protect biodiversity in waters beyond the control of individual nations, covering nearly half of the planet’s surface. It addresses challenges such as overfishing, marine pollution, and the sustainable use of marine genetic resources.

Fiji’s ratification adds momentum to global efforts to ensure the high seas are safeguarded for future generations, in line with international sustainability goals.