On 29 July 2025, the Parliament of Sierra Leone officially ratified the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, a major international treaty under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), aimed at promoting fair and sustainable management of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
The ratification represents a significant milestone for Sierra Leone’s environmental and diplomatic efforts, positioning the country as a key player in advancing equitable global ocean governance.
The treaty was presented to Parliament by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Timothy Kabba, following extensive international negotiations led by Sierra Leone’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Dr. Michael Imran Kanu. Dr. Kanu played a central role as coordinator of the Group of African Negotiators during the BBNJ discussions.
Key Benefits of the BBNJ Agreement:
- Equitable sharing of benefits derived from marine genetic resources
- Access to tools for managing marine protected areas
- Strengthened environmental impact assessments for marine activities
- Access to tools for managing marine protected areas
- Strengthened environmental impact assessments for marine activities
- Enhanced capacity-building and marine technology transfer
What Sierra Leone Stands to Gain:
- Improved national capacity in ocean governance
- Increased access to financial and technical support through benefit-sharing mechanisms
- Stronger efforts to address the impacts of climate change
- Sustainable use and development of marine genetic resources
The successful ratification was made possible through the collaborative efforts of Parliament, the Ministries of Environment and Climate Change, Foreign Affairs, the BBNJ Ratification Committee, and other national and international partners.
This historic move reaffirms Sierra Leone’s commitment to international environmental agreements and sustainable development goals, while unlocking new opportunities for marine research, conservation, and international cooperation.