On 20th of February 2025, Sri Lanka signed the BBNJ Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) at the UN headquarters in New York.
The BBNJ Agreement, adopted on June 19, 2023, aims to conserve and sustainably use marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. Sri Lanka became the 109th signatory, while 17 countries have ratified the pact.
Following the signing, Sri Lanka will establish an Inter-Ministerial Committee to oversee ratification and draft necessary legislation with international support.
By joining the BBNJ Agreement, Sri Lanka gains access to capacity-building projects, technology transfer, and knowledge sharing to strengthen marine conservation efforts.
This move reaffirms Sri Lanka’s commitment to UNCLOS and global ocean governance through multilateral cooperation.
