Philippines Highlights Archipelagic Status at UN Treaty Negotiations on Marine Biodiversity

DFA Assistant Secretary for Maritime and Ocean Affairs Maria Angela A. Ponce delivers the Philippines’ closing statement at the 5th Intergovernmental Conference on a legally binding instrument 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) at the United Nations Headquarters which took place from 15 to 26 August 2022. (Photo from New York PM)

UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK, 31 August 2022 – The Philippines highlighted the link between its archipelagic status and the interconnectedness of ocean ecosystems at the 5th Session of the Intergovernmental Conference on an international legally binding instrument 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).

The 5th Conference, held on 15 – 26 August 2022. did not yield a consensus text, as aspired for by many delegations, will resume at a later date.

The Philippine delegation to the Conference was co-headed by Chargé d’Affaires of the Philippine Mission to the United Nations, Ambassador Ariel Rodelas Peñaranda and Assistant Secretary Maria Angela A. Ponce of the Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

“As archipelagic states, we are a distinct category under United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Like island-states, we are entirely dependent on the sea; and our state’s ecosystem is affected by changes in the larger ocean ecology. Our distinct geography presents specific challenges in terms of capacity building and marine technology transfer,” Assistant Secretary Maria Angela A. Ponce of the Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office stated.

While there were expectations that the 5th Session was to be the final one, the Session ended in the suspension of the Conference, to be resumed at a later date following the approval and guidance of the General Assembly.

At the conclusion of the Session, the Philippines noted that “there are still a number of fundamental principles and core issues over which there is no convergence” and these must be addressed in an “inclusive, transparent and cognizant of the limitations and needs of all delegations.” The Philippines expressed its continuing commitment to the process adding that “You can rely on the Philippines’ support in this Herculean effort to bring this Conference to consensus on a forward-looking, substantive, and effective package of a BBNJ agreement.”

For more information, visit https://www.newyorkpm.dfa.gov.ph,   https://www.un.int/philippines or https://www.facebook.com/PHMissionNY/. END