On Tuesday, 8th April 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat convened an online event to prepare for the upcoming session of the Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) on Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement. The meeting brought together key stakeholders, including the the Attorney General’s Department, Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, Ministry of Fisheries, the Ghana Navy, University of Ghana School of Law, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), the Ghana Boundary Commission, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and NGOs.
Ambassador Jane Gasu Aheto delivered the introductory remarks emphasizing Ghana’s longstanding engagement in the BBNJ negotiations spanning nearly two decades. She noted that the Agreement’s adoption in June 2023 marked a pivotal development in the global legal framework for the sustainable management of marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction. Stressing the importance of the upcoming PrepCom at the United Nations, she called for Ghana’s delegation to be well-prepared to participate meaningfully in the sessions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she added, is committed to supporting the ratification process in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. Ambassador Aheto highlighted that the effective implementation of the BBNJ Agreement depends on strong national ownership, capacity-building, and inclusive stakeholder engagement.
The meeting reviewed key milestones, including the June 2024 organizational meetings and the anticipated sessions in April and August 2025. Presentations provided an overview of the BBNJ Agreement’s scope, legal significance, negotiation history, and projected timeline to entry into force. The importance of the PrepCom in establishing the Agreement’s institutional architecture was discussed, alongside Ghana’s strategic interests and national priorities. The event concluded with a call for coherence with the African Group’s position and a clear national roadmap for ratification and effective engagement.