Wednesday, 4 June, 2025
Blue Economy, Water and Irrigation Committee reviews high seas biodiversity treaty (BBNJ agreement)
Parliament Buildings – Tuesday, June 3, 2025.
The Departmental Committee on Blue Economy, Water and Irrigation, chaired by Hon. Kangogo Bowen (Marakwet East), convened today to deliberate on the Ratification of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea concerning the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ).
Commonly known as the High Seas Biodiversity Treaty, the BBNJ Agreement seeks to enhance international governance of ocean resources and protect marine biodiversity in areas beyond the reach of national jurisdictions.
The ratification process received Cabinet approval during a meeting held on September 18, 2024. Subsequently, the Prime Cabinet Secretary and the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs formally submitted the Agreement to the National Assembly via a letter dated April 8, 2025, in accordance with Chapter 4D of the Constitution. The Agreement was then committed to the Committee on Blue Economy, Water and Irrigation for review and recommendation.
The BBNJ Agreement addresses four critical pillars for the protection and sustainable use of high seas biodiversity:
Marine Genetic Resources – including access and fair, equitable benefit-sharing.
Area-Based Management Tools – such as the establishment of marine protected areas.
Environmental Impact Assessments – to evaluate potential risks to marine ecosystems.
Capacity-Building and Transfer of Marine Technology – to support developing nations in marine conservation efforts.
Open for signature by all States and regional economic integration organizations from September 20, 2023, to September 20, 2025, the Agreement will come into force 120 days after the deposit of the 60th instrument of ratification, approval, acceptance, or accession. As of May 26, 2025, there are 115 Signatories and 22 Parties to the Agreement.
The Committee is expected to table its report before the National Assembly in the course of the week, paving way for Parliamentary Debate and potential ratification of this landmark international treaty.