Global Officials Meet in Placencia for UN Workshop on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction

Parliamentarians and government officials from across the globe are in Placencia to discuss the implementation of the United Nations agreement on biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction or the BBNJ Agreement. Belize is hosting a three-day workshop to promote a better understanding of the agreement and prepare states for its implementation. The agreement seeks to develop a framework to govern the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond national boundaries. Today’s workshop was focused on the agreement’s importance to Small Island Development States (SIDS) and how it will positively impact their citizens in the long term. Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Amalia Mai spoke about Belize’s rationale for signing onto the BBJN. 

Belize is hosting the workshop in partnership with the United Kingdom. British High Commissioner to Belize Nicole Davison spoke on the partnership and how it came to fruition. 

The agreement was adopted on June 19, 2023.