Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
The current rotating Belgian presidency of the European Union has called for the rapid ratification of the Convention on Biological Diversity on the High Seas
The high-level event “BBNJ – From multilateral success to game changer for the oceans” focused on the rapid ratification and implementation of the UN Convention on Marine Biodiversity Beyond Areas of National Jurisdiction (BBNJ). This is essential to protect 30% of the oceans by 2030. According to a statement distributed in Brussels last night, policymakers, scientists, youth representatives, non-governmental organizations and intergovernmental organizations met in Brussels on March 7 to discuss protecting our ocean. The meeting was concluded by Prince Albert II of Monaco, known for his commitment to the marine environment.
“In the spring of 2023, after more than 17 years of negotiations, the BBNJ agreement was concluded,” says Sophie Mergo, Belgian Special Envoy for Oceans (Federal Public Health Service). “This agreement represents a big step forward for ocean protection because it ensures that we will be able to establish marine protected areas in international waters.” Since then, nearly 90 countries (including Belgium) have signed the convention, the first step towards concluding an international agreement. It must now also be ratified by at least 60 of these countries in order to enter into force. On January 22, Palau became the first country to ratify the BBNJ Convention.
"Belgium wants to remain in the main team," said the Belgian Federal Minister for the North Sea, who opened the meeting. “This ocean protection agreement is a victory for multilateralism, where, as a small country, we have been able to make a big difference. We cannot rest on our laurels now. We must take urgent action to change the world’s words.” "This agreement has turned into action."
Morgan with a message
The Blue Leaders Meeting was organized under the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union by the Federal Public Service for Health, Food Chain Safety and the Environment. The Blue Leaders are a group of countries pushing for urgent action to protect the oceans.
The Antwerp-based organization MUCE (Muses United for Circular Economy) developed artificial coral specifically for the event, produced using a 3D printer and based on biological materials. All meeting participants were invited to add their own ocean message to the artwork. Representatives from Kenya, Monaco, Nigeria, Cape Verde, the European Commission and EU Member States also contributed to this meeting.
Discussion panels
The first panel discussion of the day focused on the implementation and impact of the BBNJ Agreement. Discussions were made by Sebastian Unger, Commissioner for Oceans of the German Federal Government, Peggy Callas of Portugal's Ossiano Azul Foundation, Darius Campbell of the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission, and Miguel de Serpa Soares, UN Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and Legal Counsel.
The afternoon focused on climate connectivity and the 30 x 30 goal. How will we succeed in protecting 30% of the oceans by 2030, and how will we ensure that this protection is strong enough to preserve biodiversity? Richard Bennion, UK Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy, scientists Jean-Pascal van Eppersel from UCL Louvain and Yara Rodrigues from the Cape Verdean Institute do Mar (IMar), and youth representative Camille Delaunoy (Youth Forum) shared their views on this important matter. problem.
Prince Albert of Monaco
The meeting concluded with a speech by H.S.H. Prince Albert II, Prince of Monaco, who has played an important role over the years as an advocate for ocean protection, thus contributing significantly to raising awareness among the general public. “The ocean, and with it the planet, stands at a crossroads,” he declared. “There has been significant progress over the past 30 years, and the BBNJ Convention is a very important example of this, but the situation in the oceans continues to deteriorate. So we need more ambitious and more innovative actions that are better adapted to the reality of the changes we are seeing.”
Finally, the Prime Minister of Belgium also called for urgent action. The Prime Minister confirmed that Belgium is a candidate to host the secretariat of the BBNJ Convention in Brussels. “We are convinced that in this way we can direct collective efforts to protect the ocean,” the Prime Minister concluded.