The Cabinet has recommended Maldives’ accession to the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Convention adopted by the UN General Assembly.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has accepted the consensus of the Cabinet, and has begun to seek approval from the Parliament over the matter.
President Dr. Muizzu made the decision after the Cabinet discussed a paper submitted by the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy at the Cabinet meeting yesterday.
The BBNJ is a treaty designed to protect and preserve the High Seas, marine life and areas, and to facilitate sustainable use. The Convention is an important international effort to protect marine ecosystems.
The Environment Ministry's paper also noted that it is important for a small country like Maldives to participate in such a treaty. According to the UN, 83 countries have signed the treaty so far.