By: Staff Writer
January 19, Colombo (LNW): Greenpeace South Asia has praised Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Ministers for approving the proposal by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism to sign the Agreement on Biodiversity in Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ).
This decision marks a significant advancement in efforts to combat the mounting threats to oceans from unregulated human activities in international waters.
Anita Perera, a campaigner at Greenpeace South Asia, lauded Sri Lanka’s leadership in prioritizing ocean health, especially as the Chair of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). She highlighted that this move underscores Sri Lanka’s commitment to international collaboration for marine biodiversity conservation.
By ratifying the BBNJ, also known as the Global Oceans Treaty, Sri Lanka will support the creation of vast marine protected areas, encourage sustainable fisheries management, and promote marine scientific research. This is particularly crucial in light of the growing concerns surrounding overfishing, habitat loss, and biodiversity decline in international waters.
The treaty allows for the establishment of large protected zones on the High Seas, areas that lie beyond 200 nautical miles (370 km) from coastlines. These zones offer a chance for marine ecosystems to recover from overfishing and pollution, helping to restore vital ocean life.
A healthy ocean is critical not only for climate stability but also for supporting the livelihoods of millions, including Sri Lanka’s coastal communities, fishers, and seafarers.While acknowledging the challenges faced by developing nations like Sri Lanka in implementing this agreement,
Greenpeace South Asia emphasized the importance of capacity-building, resource-sharing, and international cooperation to ensure its successful execution.Sri Lanka, along with the South Asian region, has been severely impacted by climate change, experiencing heatwaves, floods, mudslides, and coastal erosion.
These disasters have caused significant casualties and economic setbacks. Given the interconnectedness of climate, forests, and oceans, it is essential for leaders to understand and prioritize the protection of ecosystems that help mitigate climate change and extreme weather events.
In February 2024, Greenpeace’s Rainbow Warrior ship visited Sri Lanka, coinciding with the opening of the Greenpeace South Asia office in the country. This event was a key moment in raising awareness about ocean conservation and the importance of the BBNJ Agreement, particularly for island nations like Sri Lanka.
A series of awareness campaigns, social media outreach, and workshops for Civil Society Organizations were organized throughout 2024 to empower local groups with advocacy tools.
Greenpeace also facilitated letters to presidential candidates, urging them to prioritize the signing and ratification of the BBNJ Agreement. This legal framework is designed to establish Marine Protected Areas, set Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) standards, ensure fair sharing of benefits from Marine Genetic Resources (MGRs), and promote sustainable funding for marine conservation.
These efforts underscore Sri Lanka’s potential to benefit from improved marine governance under the BBNJ framework.The approval of the Global Oceans Treaty presents a vital opportunity to establish large-scale marine sanctuaries on the High Seas.
This decision signals a commitment to safeguarding marine ecosystems for both current and future generations. Greenpeace South Asia is eager to collaborate with Sri Lanka and other regional stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the BBNJ Agreement.
