As the world grapples with mounting threats to its oceans, Fiji has stepped up with a clear and deliberate move on the global stage. At the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, the island nation officially ratified the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdictions (BBNJ) Agreement, a crucial step toward protecting marine life in international waters. This was not just a formal gesture.
For Fiji, it was a firm commitment to defend the ocean that sustains its people, culture, and future and to play its part in shaping stronger global protections for the high seas. “This gives us a seat at the table to make the rules,” said Dr Sivendra Michael, permanent secretary for Environment and Climate Change. “It means we can embed Fijian priorities, like climate change and protecting marine species, into global ocean law.” The BBNJ Agreement, often referred to as the “high seas treaty”, is a historic international pact that aims to safeguard marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdictions.
