Geeplay Ezekiel Geeplay |Contributing Reporter
Tuesday, June 10, 2025-Liberia has officially ratified the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Treaty, becoming a regional leader in the global push to protect the world’s high seas. The decision follows nearly a year of national engagement, including a strong early call by Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), who represented Liberia at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level Segment in New York on September 24, 2024.
At the time, Dr. Yarkpawolo described the treaty as a “lifeline” for Liberia, whose economy and food security are closely tied to its over 350-mile coastline. He emphasized the country’s marine biodiversity, mangrove ecosystems, and blue carbon resources that support thousands of livelihoods and are critical for climate resilience.
“For us, the ocean is not just a resource; it is a lifeline,” he declared to global leaders.
His advocacy was part of Liberia’s early commitment to the BBNJ Treaty, which aims to protect 30% of the world’s high seas through Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and stronger international cooperation.
Now, months later, that commitment has become official. Liberia’s House of Representatives ratified the treaty on June 3, 2025, followed by the Senate on June 5, 2025. The decision was backed by a government-led effort involving legal workshops, policy consultations, and alignment with regional partners such as ECOWAS.
By ratifying the BBNJ Treaty, Liberia stands to benefit in several ways: Enhanced legal presence in global ocean negotiations, better access to marine science and technology, opportunities for funding and capacity building, stronger tools to fight illegal fishing and manage marine resources sustainably.
Liberia’s Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung is leading the official delegation to the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France, where he will deposit the ratification instrument. He is joined by: Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, EPA Executive Director, Hon. Jeanie Cooper, Special Envoy on Climate Change and Carbon Trade, Hon. J. Cyrus Saygbe, Sr., Acting Director General, National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), Cllr. Neto Z. Lighe, Commissioner General, Liberia Maritime Authority, and Liberia’s Ambassador to France Amb. Teeko Yorlay.
The BBNJ Treaty, adopted by the UN on June 19, 2023, is the third implementing agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. It is widely seen as a key step toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water, which calls for the protection and sustainable use of ocean resources.
Dr. Yarkpawolo’s vision shared at the UNGA—to turn words into action and make ocean conservation a national and global priority is now gaining fruits.
Edited: Jesefu Morris Keita| Editor-In-Chief
