A healthy, biodiverse and productive High Seas supports humankind through multiple ecosystem services.
The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction High Ambition Coalition (BBNJ HAC) brings together more than 40 countries committed to swift entry into force and ambitious implementation of the historic BBNJ Treaty, providing vision, leadership, and a strong, influential international voice.
The coalition
- The BBNJ HAC is global in nature and reach, made up of members from all continents, co-chaired by Palau, Seychelles and the European Union, united in supporting an ambitious implementation of the BBNJ agreement.
- States that join the BBNJ HAC recognise the urgency of protecting our ocean, working to safeguard half the planet and the vital ocean services that humanity, and all life on earth, rely on.
- The global community committed to this important, life-giving action; we have a responsibility and an obligation to make it happen.
Why it matters
- The High Seas makes up half the planet and is the engine of Planet Earth. Bringing protection and ensuring sustainable use of resources to this area will help us to preserve the ecosystem services which the whole ocean provides to the planet and humankind.
- A High Seas that can be protected through marine protected areas (MPAs), strong governance, impact assessments and multilateral cooperation, is a High Seas that will help to feed millions, increase ocean productivity, protect vital Earth System services and help to combat climate change.
- The BBNJ Agreement provides the first comprehensive global framework to protect biodiversity in the High seas and on the sea floor beyond national jurisdiction.
- Unless we protect the High Seas through the ambitious implementation of this agreement, we cannot fulfil our goals under the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework to protect at least 30% of the ocean by 2030.
- Rapid and ambitious fair and equitable implementation is essential to reverse ocean decline.
What the coalition is doing
- Accelerating ratification and implementation of the BBNJ Treaty.
- Providing vision, leadership, a strong, influential international voice for the ratification and rapid implementation of the High Seas Treaty.
- Providing a platform for members to work collaboratively, sharing experience and seeking support for future proposal and ideas in the BBNJ framework.
- Building global momentum for high seas conservation.
- Promoting science-based ocean protection measures.
Leadership
The coalition is co-chaired by the European Union, Palau, and Seychelles, representing different regions and perspectives while united in our commitment to a healthy ocean.
The BBNJ HAC will be supported by a secretariat hosted by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and funded by the EU.
The mission
The coalition is committed to supporting and uniting countries to enable
- Rapid ratification of the BBNJ Treaty
- Ambitious implementation of the agreement's provisions
- Science-based protection of high seas biodiversity
- Equitable sharing of marine genetic resources
Join the coalition
Countries can join the High Ambition Coalition by endorsing our declaration and committing to ambitious implementation of the BBNJ Treaty. Joining is simple and demonstrates your country's leadership in promoting a healthy ocean.
A simple process
- Review the coalition declaration
- Endorse the principles through an official communication
- Confirm your country's commitment to ambitious BBNJ implementation
To do this, countries can just send an official email or letter to the coalition secretariat confirming adherence to the declaration principles. No complex procedures or financial commitments are required.
Why join?
- Demonstrate global leadership in ocean protection
- Participate in collaborative decision-making
- Share expertise and best practices with other members
- Contribute to the largest ocean protection initiative in history
Ocean
iucn [dot] org (Join the coalition) Download the declaration
Coalition declaration
The High Ambition Coalition declaration sets out our shared commitment to protecting biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction through rapid and ambitious implementation of the BBNJ Treaty.
Commitments
- Ratify the BBNJ Treaty as soon as possible
- Implement the Treaty's provisions ambitiously, fairly and effectively
- Promote science-based decision making
- Ensure equitable sharing of benefits from marine genetic resources
- Work collaboratively to protect High Seas biodiversity
Members and partners
The High Ambition Coalition brings together more than 40 countries from all regions of the world, united in our commitment to protecting biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction.
The High Ambition Coalition currently has 41 members: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Chile, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, European Union, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Palau, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
Supporting organisations
- International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) - Secretariat support, scientific and legal expertise