Manila: The Senate unanimously concurred, with 22 affirmative votes, in the ratification of the landmark 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 Agreement).

According to Philippines News Agency, the accord, also known as the 'High Seas Treaty,' is the first legally binding framework to safeguard marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction and the third implementing agreement under the 1982 UNCLOS. It was adopted by the international community in 2023 after nearly two decades of negotiations.

Senator Imee Marcos, chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and sponsor of the measure, stated that the pact will ensure equitable sharing of benefits from marine genetic resources, strengthen marine protected areas, require environmental impact assessments, and provide capacity-building and marine technology transfer for developing nations like the Philippines. Marcos emphasized that if anyone gathers or uses DNA or genetic material, the sharing of benefits will be equal under the BBNJ, with no monopoly or greed in the seas.

She highlighted that Filipino scientists, students, and fisherfolk stand to benefit from access to international funding, retraining, and advanced marine technology that could support sustainable livelihoods and innovations in medicine, biotechnology, and agriculture.

Co-sponsor Senator Erwin Tulfo reiterated that the concurrence signals the country's long-standing commitment to protect the seas. He emphasized the treaty's four pillars-genetic resource sharing, area-based management tools, environmental impact assessments, and technology transfer-as mechanisms to ensure that ordinary Filipinos, especially coastal communities, will eventually reap tangible benefits.

Tulfo pointed out that the treaty is not just about international obligations, but about guaranteeing that the Filipino people, including fisherfolk, coastal communities, scientists, and the youth, will have a stake and share in the benefits the treaty seeks to protect and distribute.

The Philippines was among the first signatories of the treaty in 2023. With the Senate's concurrence, it is set to join the first 60 countries that will convene the Conference of Parties to finalize rules, guidelines, and institutional mechanisms for its implementation.