Fiji deposits instruments of ratification for BBNJ at UNOC 3

As an advocate for Oceans of Peace, Fiji is proud to witness the depositing of instruments of ratification for the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdictions Agreement (BBNJ) to the United Nations (UN), reaffirming Fiji’s strong commitment to protecting marine life beyond national jurisdiction. This marks a historic achievement in Fiji’s efforts to safeguard the high seas through stronger multilateral cooperation.

The deposit of BBNJ ratification was completed by the Minister for Environment and Climate Change, the Hon. Mosese Bulitavu at the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 3) in Nice, France. It signifies a milestone achievement in safeguarding our oceans and maritime boundaries. Fiji is honoured to join the broader Pacific family including Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu – in depositing of the BBNJ Agreement.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) as the Chair of the Maritime Affairs Coordinating Committee (MACC) is grateful for the significant efforts made towards successfully adopting and ratifying the Agreement in collaboration with relevant agencies including Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC), Solicitor General’s Office (SGOs), and Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources and Ministry of Fisheries.

Fiji’s participation at the UNOC 3 this week is a timely opportunity to leverage greater global cooperation for protecting of the oceans and marine biodiversity and resources – which are vital to economic development, food security, health and wellbeing, and livelihood of our local communities.

The Conference calls for urgent Ocean Action which aims to produce an ambitious action plan for our oceans – called the ‘Nice Action Plan’. It will also identify avenues and means to progress and achieve ‘Sustainable Development Goal 14 – Life below Water’ as the least funded SDG today, further building on the previous Ocean Conferences, hosted by Sweden and Fiji in 2017 in New York, and by Portugal and Kenya in 2022 in Lisbon.

The Fiji delegation to UNOC 3 is led by the Minister for Environment and Climate Change Hon. Mosese Bulitavu and includes the Minister for Fisheries Hon. Alitia Bainivalu, Permanent Secretary for Environment and Climate Change, Dr Sivendra Michael.

The MFA Team at the UNOC 3, includes Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations H.E Ambassador Filipo Tarakinikini, the Deputy Permanent Representative of Permanent Mission of Fiji to the United Nations and Other International Organizations, Geneva Ms Keleni Seruvatu, First Secretary Mr Wilisoni Jiuta, Director Multilateral of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Mr Anare Leweniqila and Senior Foreign Service Officer, Ms Anasilini Turaga.

The 2025 UN Ocean Conference brings together governments, the United Nations system, intergovernmental organizations, international financial institutions, non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, academic institutions, the scientific community, the private sector, philanthropic organizations, Indigenous Peoples and local communities and other actors to assess challenges as well as actions taken towards, the implementation of SDG 14.