NIGERIA RALLIES GLOBAL SUPPORT FOR SUSTAINABLE USE OF WORLD OCEANS
Nigeria has made a strong call for the prompt ratification of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement and a significant increase in funding for blue economy initiatives to ensure the protection and sustainable use of the world’s oceans.
Delivering Nigeria’s national statement on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at the ongoing United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, emphasised that urgent and collective global action is needed to secure the health of the oceans for future generations.
Demonstrating regional leadership, he said Nigeria has also spearheaded efforts among West African nations, validating a regional roadmap for the development of a proposal to designate a highly protected "High Seas Marine Protected Area" in the Convergence Zone of the Canary and Guinea Currents.
The Minister highlighted several domestic initiatives that Nigeria is implementing to strengthen its ocean governance which includes but not limited to the adoption of a National Blue Economy Policy aimed at incentivizing sustainable diversification into ocean-based industries, the development of a national roadmap for BBNJ treaty ratification and implementation, as well as the revision of Nigeria’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan to align with global biodiversity targets.