Statement from UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen
The entry into force of the historic BBNJ agreement [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] is a victory for our oceans, our planet and environmental multilateralism.
Now the hard work begins.
Quick, effective implementation is key to ensure the vision of this agreement - the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, including the high seas and the deep seabed combined - becomes a reality. UNEP, with our rich experience and existing family of multilateral environmental agreements, looks forward to working with Member States to lead the way and deliver this.
Our ocean is the foundation of our very existence. Today we took an important step forward to save our ocean, and to save our future.
