LOME, Dec 19 (The African Portal) – Togo is taking steps to strengthen its environmental commitments by launching the ratification process for the BBNJ Agreement, a legally binding United Nations treaty adopted on June 19, 2023, aimed at the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
At a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, the government approved a draft bill to ratify the agreement, which is linked to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
According to the Council of Ministers, the draft adopts a “prudent and cooperative approach” intended to reinforce international governance of maritime spaces. It will be submitted to Parliament for review and a vote before the remaining stages of the ratification process.
Ratification is expected to open up new funding opportunities for Togo, following its participation in the COP30 climate negotiations held in Belém, Brazil, a few weeks earlier. The process would enable the country to access international financing mechanisms, including the Global Environment Facility, to support marine conservation efforts and combat marine pollution.
Beyond environmental considerations, the agreement also supports the development of the blue economy, which plays an important role in West Africa’s coastal region. It предусматриes the creation of marine protected areas, equitable access to marine genetic resources, and mandatory environmental impact assessments for activities carried out on the high seas.
For Togo, the agreement represents an opportunity to position itself in line with international standards of maritime governance, with potential long-term benefits for fisheries, maritime transport, and international cooperation.
Credit: Togo First
