Nigeria has called on the international community to expedite the ratification of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement and to significantly increase funding for blue economy initiatives to ensure the sustainable use and protection of the world’s oceans.
Delivering Nigeria’s national statement at the ongoing United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, spoke on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He urged for urgent, collective global action to safeguard the health of the oceans for future generations.
“As a nation committed to responsible ocean governance, Nigeria believes that a unified global front is essential in preserving marine biodiversity,” Oyetola said, stressing the importance of immediate ratification of the BBNJ Agreement.
Highlighting Nigeria’s regional leadership, the Minister disclosed that Nigeria has led West African efforts in validating a roadmap for the development of a proposal to designate a highly protected High Seas Marine Protected Area in the Convergence Zone of the Canary and Guinea Currents.
Domestically, Oyetola outlined Nigeria’s ongoing initiatives to enhance ocean governance. These include the adoption of a National Blue Economy Policy to promote sustainable investment in ocean-based industries, the creation of a national roadmap for the ratification and implementation of the BBNJ treaty, and the revision of Nigeria’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan in alignment with global targets.
The Minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to global ocean sustainability efforts and called on development partners and international stakeholders to support initiatives aimed at bolstering marine protection and sustainable ocean economies across the globe.
