SINGAPORE, 20 February 2025 – The Philippines advocated for the early ratification of the agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) during the 2nd BBNJ Symposium held on 18-19 February 2025 at the Orchard Hotel in Singapore.

The Symposium, co-organized by the National University of Singapore (NUS) Centre for International Law (CIL) and the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs, seeks to promote dialogue and collaboration on the ratification and implementation of the Agreement, recognizing the international community’s efforts toward its early entry into force. The event featured the keynote address by Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore, as well as panel sessions and roundtable discussions with a diverse range of speakers from government, civil society, and the research community.

The Philippines was represented by officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), particularly from the Philippine Embassies in Singapore and Malaysia, the Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office, and the Permanent Mission to the United Nations; and the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute. The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, headquartered in Los Baños, Laguna, was also represented in the two-day activity. 

During the panel session on “Ratification – Challenges and Opportunities”, Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia and Head of the Philippines’ BBNJ Negotiating Team Maria Angela A. Ponce, reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to being among the first 60 countries to ratify the BBNJ Agreement, following its signing in 2023. She emphasized the DFA’s’ leadership in coordinating with government agencies, academia, and civil society to ensure inclusive and participatory national consultations.

Ambassador Ponce also  highlighted the country’s capacity-building efforts, including hosting a regional capacity building workshop and Senate public hearings on the BBNJ. She also underscored the benefits of early ratification, that would allow the Philippines to participate in the first Conference of Parties, influence decision-making, and reinforce its commitment to UNCLOS, the rule of law, and global ocean conservation efforts.

The 2nd BBNJ Symposium builds on the first BBNJ Symposium held in October 2023 in Edinburgh, UK, and takes place ahead of the first substantive meeting of the Preparatory Commission (PrepCom I) for the BBNJ in New York, USA this April 2025. It also marks the second iteration of the BBNJ Conference organized  by the CIL in February 2016, aimed at raising awareness and building capacity on BBNJ issues in the region. 

Adopted by consensus by UN member states in June 2023, the BBNJ Agreement, also known as the High Seas Treaty, is a landmark international treaty under UNCLOS aimed at conserving and sustainably using marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction through measures such as marine protected areas, environmental impact assessments, and capacity-building initiatives. The agreement needs the ratification of at least 60 countries to enter into force. (END)