Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, acting on behalf of the Government of Indonesia, officially signed the BBNJ Agreement, known as the "Treaty of The High Seas". focusing on the conservation of biological diversity beyond national jurisdiction,
"I have signed the BBNJ Agreement on behalf of the Indonesian Government. Today marks the inaugural day of this Agreement being open for signing," stated Minister Retno during a press briefing on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States, on Wednesday (20/9/23).
The Agreement's comprehensive title is the Agreement under UNCLOS on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction.
A total of 70 countries pledged their commitment to the BBNJ Agreement on its inaugural day of availability for signature.
Minister Retno highlighted that the negotiation process leading to the BBNJ Agreement spanned nearly two decades.
"Twenty years were devoted to the negotiations culminating in this agreement," she said as quoted by antaranews.com as saying.
She emphasized that Indonesia played an active role throughout the Agreement's negotiations, consistently emphasizing the need for an equitable approach regarding the rights and responsibilities of nations in international waters, which constitute the shared heritage of humanity.
She also underscored the significance of the BBNJ Agreement for Indonesia on multiple fronts. First and foremost, as one of the countries with the longest coastlines globally, Indonesia's well-being is closely tied to the vitality of the high seas and their surrounding ecosystems.
"Given the interconnectedness of marine ecosystems, any developments in the high seas and their adjacent areas will have far-reaching implications for Indonesia," said the Minister.
Second, the Agreement holds immense potential to bolster collaborative efforts in enhancing the capabilities of developing nations, particularly Indonesia, in the transfer of marine technology, encompassing biotechnology tailored to the specific needs of these nations.
Third, the Agreement is poised to play a pivotal role in advancing the global pursuit of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by actively contributing to the conservation of marine ecosystems.
Lastly, the BBNJ Agreement reaffirms the foundational legal principles enshrined in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), with a special emphasis on the principle of the common heritage of mankind.
"Following this signing, the Indonesian government will undertake the necessary internal procedures for ratification and formulate a detailed implementation strategy," stated Minister Retno.
(ar/inp/pr/nm)