On June 19, 2023, a significant milestone was achieved at the United Nations headquarters in New York as the international community unanimously adopted a new UN treaty for the ocean. BBNJ Adoption, United Nations headquarters in New York A new UN treaty for the ocean was adopted, by consensus, at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Monday 19 June 2023. This new international legally binding instrument has been more than 20 years in the making and marks a significant achievement for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in the two thirds of the ocean that lies in areas beyond national jurisdiction. Nippon Foundation Ocean Voices Fellows Vanessa Ferreira Lopes, Sheena Talma and Gemma Nelson attended the meeting. Our network is proud to have supported this process and looks forward to continuing to contribute research, ideas and inform to support the equitable and effective governance of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction as States look to the ratification of the agreement and entry into force! With the treaty officially adopted, we now look forward to the signature and ratification process so the treaty can enter into force. It is time to continue the work and support states in the ratification process as much as we can. This will be a group effort, and everyone must come together to continue the work! Vanessa Ferreira Lopes Ocean Voices Fellow Publication date 23 Jun, 2023
