On Tuesday 5th March 2024, the International Affairs Committee (IAC) met with the Department of Blue Economy to discuss the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ). The IAC was led by Chairperson Hon. Waven William, accompanied by Vice-Chairperson Hon. Wavel Woodcock, Hon. Kelly Samynadin, Hon. Philip Monthy, Hon. Egbert Aglae, Hon. Phillip Arissol, and Hon. Johan Loze. Assisting the Committee was Secretary Ms. Emma Didon, and Assistant Secretary Mr. Darel Atala. The Department of Blue Economy was represented by Principal Secretary Ms. Phillianne Ernesta, Director General Mr. Chrissant Barbe, Principal Programme Development Officer Ms. Veronique Nibourette, and the CEO of the Seychelles Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust Ms. Marie-May Jeremie.
The BBNJ Agreement aims to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity areas beyond national jurisdiction, which includes the equitable sharing of benefits involved. The main components of the Agreement include Area-Based Management Tools, Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), Marine Genetic Resources (MGRs), capacity building, and the transfer of Marine Technology. Since the adoption of the Agreement in June 2023, Seychelles will become the 3rd Official Signatory out of 88 to complete the ratification.
During the course of the meeting the IAC posed several questions and clarifications on the Agreement, including the potential for implications on existing joint area management agreements such as the Mascarene Plateau. The Committee was assured that the BBNJ Agreement has no impact on fisheries in terms of existing fisheries management agreements, and that the Agreement explicitly calls for the fair and equitable treatment of developing states in terms of the benefit-sharing opportunities.
The IAC recommended the inclusion and improved consultation measures during the negotiation process of future international agreements, as the Committee is mandated to scrutinise and review international agreements submitted for ratification and can make pertinent and valuable contributions. A commitment was affirmed that the Committee would continually lobby for the ratification of the BBNJ Agreement at international parliamentary conferences, before the meeting came to a close.
