A three-day capacity-building workshop focused on the ‘Implementation of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement’ was officially launched, this morning, at the Caudan Arts Centre in Port Louis. The event is jointly organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade and the Commonwealth Secretariat.
Funded by the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) under the Strategic Programme Arrangement, the workshop aims to strengthen national capacity, raise awareness of the BBNJ Agreement among key stakeholders, and highlight the benefits Mauritius will gain as a Party to the landmark High Seas Treaty.
The agreement is designed to conserve and sustainably use marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, also referred to as international waters or the high seas.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Mr Dhananjay Ramful; the British High Commissioner to Mauritius, Mr Paul Brummell; the United Nations Resident Coordinator for Mauritius and Seychelles, Ms Lisa Simrique Singh; as well as other personalities.
In his address, Minister Ramful recalled that the BBNJ Agreement officially entered into force on 17 January 2026, marking a significant milestone in global ocean governance. He expressed gratitude to the Commonwealth Secretariat and the United Kingdom FCDO for their continued support. For him, such international cooperation is crucial for building the capacity of developing countries, particularly Small Island Developing States like Mauritius, to actively engage in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity.
Mauritius signed the agreement in September 2023 and ratified it in May 2024, making it one of the first countries to do so. Mr Ramful underlined that this decision reflects a deliberate policy choice, demonstrating Mauritius’ commitment to the protection of marine life beyond national jurisdiction, which is vital for the country’s long-term security, resilience, and prosperity.
The agreement buttresses global ocean governance in four key areas: access to marine genetic resources and equitable benefit sharing; area-based management tools including marine protected areas; environmental impact assessments; and capacity building with technology transfer.
According to Minister Ramful the workshop marks the start of a broader national process to implement the BBNJ Agreement, including legal and institutional reforms. He emphasised that capacity building, technology transfer, and sustainable financial support are essential. Mauritius, he said, will align these efforts with its blue economy strategy and regional cooperation initiatives to participate effectively in global ocean governance while safeguarding its fisheries and marine ecosystems.
The British High Commissioner highlighted the global importance of the high seas, noting that these areas host critical biodiversity, regulate the climate, and are vulnerable to unregulated exploitation. He described the BBNJ Agreement as an essential instrument for safeguarding biodiversity and promoting science-based management of marine spaces. Mr Brummell commended Mauritius for its early leadership in signing and ratifying the treaty.
The High Commissioner pointed out that capacity building, access to skills, data, and expertise, as well as shared responsibility and stewardship, are central to effective ocean governance, reflecting the broader Mauritius-UK partnership in sustainability, resilience, and marine biodiversity protection.
Source : GIS Mauritius
