The Philippine Senate has unanimously ratified the landmark High Seas Treaty, formally known as the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Environment Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla welcomed the move, calling it a strong signal of the country’s commitment to safeguard marine resources that sustain coastal communities, fisherfolk, scientists, and millions who depend on the oceans.
“With its unanimous concurrence, the Senate signified its commitment to safeguarding the nation’s marine wealth and humankind’s common heritage for the benefit of [all],” Lotilla said.
The treaty covers areas of the ocean that are not under the control of any single country—nearly half of the Earth’s surface. These high seas are shared spaces where nations may fish, conduct research, and explore, but must do so responsibly. Under the treaty, resources such as minerals and marine life in these waters are recognized as the “common heritage of humankind.”
Key features of the agreement include:
- Marine protected areas to safeguard biodiversity.
- Environmental impact assessments for activities that may affect international waters.
- Fair sharing of benefits from discoveries such as marine genetic resources, which could lead to new medicines or aquaculture innovations.
- Support for developing states, especially archipelagic nations like the Philippines, through technology transfer and capacity-building.
As one of the world’s most biodiverse archipelagos, the Philippines depends heavily on healthy seas. More than half of the country’s fish catch comes from migratory species that roam into the high seas. By ratifying the treaty, the Philippines helps secure food supply, protect marine ecosystems, and strengthen resilience against climate change.
The Philippines first signed the treaty at the United Nations General Assembly in 2023, joining 67 other countries in pledging to protect marine biodiversity. The agreement is expected to enter into force by the 2025 UN Ocean Conference.
Lotilla said the treaty is about working together as one global community, as the ocean belongs to everyone, and so does the responsibility to protect it.