By Faridat Salifu
Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the world’s oceans at the on-going t 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), in New York United States.
The Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Kunle Salako, gave the assurance on Tuesday while delivering remarks at the High-Level Event on High Ambition for High Seas, held on the sidelines of the UNGA.
Addressing fellow dignitaries and ocean conservation advocates, Dr. Salako welcomed the increasing number of nations joining the effort to protect at least 30% of the global ocean by 2030 under the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement.
He highlighted the recent participation of The Gambia and Liberia as part of a growing movement across the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
“The West Africa region is on a clear path toward designating the first generation of fully protected marine areas in the high seas,” he said, emphasizing the critical importance of the treaty, which allows for the creation of marine protected areas (MPAs) beyond national boundaries.
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Nigeria, along with other ECOWAS member states, is prioritizing ocean conservation as a regional issue, with Salako stressing that oceans are impacted by factors far beyond national jurisdictions. He reiterated the need for swift action under the BBNJ Agreement to meet the 2030 target.
“We must hit the ground running the very moment the BBNJ Agreement comes into force,” Salako stated, adding that half of all ECOWAS countries are on track to sign the treaty by the end of this UNGA session.
Dr. Salako concluded by urging global collaboration to establish protected marine areas, calling for at least 60 ratifications of the BBNJ Agreement by June 2025. “This is our vision for the future,” he said, urging partners to prioritize ocean protection for future generations.
