The Senate of the Republic of Mexico has unanimously ratified the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), also known as the High Seas Treaty.
This decisive action positions Mexico among the leading nations advocating for the protection of marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction, an area that covers approximately two-thirds of the ocean and nearly half of the Earth’s surface.
A Milestone for Ocean Diplomacy
Adopted by the United Nations in June 2023, the BBNJ Agreement represents a landmark in international environmental law, aiming to address long-standing governance gaps in the high seas. The treaty establishes a legal framework for:
- The creation of marine protected areas (MPAs) in international waters;
- The fair and equitable sharing of marine genetic resources;
- Environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for human activities in these areas;
- Capacity-building and transfer of marine technology, particularly for developing countries.
With Mexico’s ratification, the global community moves closer to the 60 ratifications required for the treaty’s entry into force. Once this threshold is met, the treaty will become legally binding 120 days thereafter.
Mexico’s Strategic Role and Commitment
As a country with more than 11,000 kilometers of coastline along the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, Gulf of California, and Gulf of Mexico, Mexico has long been an advocate for sustainable ocean stewardship. By ratifying the BBNJ Treaty, the nation reaffirms its commitment to:
- Strengthening multilateral environmental cooperation;
- Advancing the 30x30 global biodiversity target to protect at least 30% of the ocean by 2030;
- Promoting equitable access to scientific knowledge and marine resources;
- Supporting a more inclusive and science-based approach to high seas governance.
Special recognition is extended to members of the Mexican Caucus on Environmental Conservation and Sustainable Development, whose leadership was instrumental in advancing this process:
- Senator Alejandro Murat, Chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs
- Senator Maki Ortiz, Chair of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources
- Senator Ivideliza Reyes, Chair of the Senate Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture
- Senator Karen Castrejon, Secretary of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs
At the ICCF Group, we celebrate this important milestone and will continue supporting the Mexican Caucus on Environmental Conservation and Sustainable Development in advancing better laws and policies for ocean protection.
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