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Thishila Mewan
General
Greenpeace South Asia Welcomes Regional Leadership in Ratification of Historic UN Ocean Treaty
Thishila Mewan
Oct 14 2024
200India, Bangladesh
and the Maldives have taken historic steps for the protection of our oceans at
the UN General Assembly closing today in New York, with India signing the Global Ocean Treaty, (also
known as the High Seas Treaty or Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National
Jurisdiction - BBNJ) and Bangladesh and the Maldives completing their
ratification process at the UN Treaty Event.
Avinash Chanchal, Campaign Manager at Greenpeace South Asia said: “India, the
Maldives and Bangladesh have shown international leadership for marine
biodiversity conservation as this new Treaty will allow the creation of large
protected areas on the High Seas, beyond 200 nautical miles (or 370 kilometers)
from the coastlines. Such large sanctuaries on the High Seas will allow the
recovery of marine life, increase its resilience to climate change, and support
the livelihoods of millions of people in the region.”
“India and other South Asian countries now need to prioritize ratification of
the Global Ocean Treaty and step forward as a regional driving force to
implement bold measures for biodiversity protection and climate change
mitigation”, says Avinash Chanchal.
This year, the wider South Asia region has again suffered from extreme weather
events causing too many casualties, meanwhile industrial overfishing, pollution
and climate change impacts, such as rising sea levels and temperature, are
dramatically affecting coastal fisheries and livelihoods. Oceans and Climate
are connected and supporting one another. Government leaders need to understand
it and start protecting ecosystems that can best mitigate climate change and
secure a sustainable future for all. Protecting the wide Ocean with a Global
Treaty to create large scale sanctuaries on the High Seas is a good start, and
one within reach.
Anita Perera, Greenpeace South Asia Campaigner in Sri Lanka added: “While most
other South Asian countries are committing to Ocean protection, it is important
that Sri Lanka, as an island nation, also steps in. The country has just chosen
a new President and we urge him to join this positive dynamic in favor of our
ocean and climate.”
Now is the time to make history. Greenpeace South
Asia is calling on all states in the region to ratify the Global Ocean Treaty
to safeguard ocean biodiversity, support climate change mitigation and the
future of the next generations.
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