Belgium will ratify a biodiversity protection agreement during a five-day United Nations (UN) conference in Nice, France, according to the Federal Minister for the North Sea, Annelies Verlinden.
Officially called the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) agreement, the treaty aims to conserve and ensure the sustainable use of marine biodiversity on high seas. It was formally adopted by UN Member States in June 2023.
While the treaty requires 60 ratifications to enter into force, so far, just over 30 countries have officially done so. Belgium's promised ratification is set to reignite hope for quicker action on the issue.
"Genuine prosperity emerges only from healthy marine ecosystems, and Belgium is committed to advancing practical solutions that serve all nations whilst respecting diverse circumstances and capabilities," Verlinden (CD&V) wrote in a LinkedIn post.
In addition to the "milestone" ratification, Verlinden revealed Belgium will propose Brussels as the headquarters for a potential BBNJ Secretariat. "As the European capital and hub of international diplomacy, Brussels is ideally suited for this purpose," she said. "Because effective governance starts with inclusive dialogue, and Brussels is expert in that."
The minister added that on top of the "diplomatic infrastructure" of the Belgian capital, Brussels is up for the task because of its "world-class" marine research. "We also host essential infrastructure including the World Register of Marine Species and Ocean Biodiversity Information System," she added.
The Belgian proposal will be discussed during the high-level UN Ocean Conference which will bring together several stakeholders until 13 June at the French coast, in Nice. Several countries are expected to ratify the BBNJ agreement during the conference.
Regardless, Verlinden is hopeful for the future. "With collective leadership, we can ensure this groundbreaking agreement delivers real impact for our oceans and especially for generations to come," she said.
