Senate ratifies High Seas Treaty, affirming commitment to marine conservation

Environment Secretary Raphael P. M. Lotilla commended the Philippine Senate for their unanimous ratification of the High Seas Treaty, officially known as the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ).

Lotilla stated that this ratification demonstrates the nation's commitment to protecting its marine resources and the common heritage of humanity, benefiting coastal communities, fisherfolk, scientists, and all who depend on the ocean.

He emphasized that the treaty upholds principles of equity and inclusivity, achievable through multilateralism, international cooperation, and a rules-based international order.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) pledges its support alongside the Senate, government, and society in realizing the treaty's goals for marine conservation and sustainable use.

The BBNJ Agreement pertains to areas beyond national jurisdiction, including the high seas and the Area, covering their water columns, seabed, ocean floors, and subsoils not under any state's sovereignty.

While the high seas are accessible for activities like fishing and research, states are required to consider the rights of others and protect the marine environment.

Mineral resources found in the seabed, ocean floor, and subsoil within these areas are recognized as the common heritage of humankind and cannot be claimed by any single state.