National Consultation for the ratification and implementation of Biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction - Remarks by UN RC Gita Sabharwal

Welcome Remarks: National Consultation for the ratification and implementation of biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction

H.E. Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment

H.E. Rena Lee, President IGC, BBNJ

Bapak Laurentius Amrih Jinankung, Director General, Legal Affairs & International Treaties, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, 

Bapak Jodi Mahardi, Deputy, Maritime Sovereignty and Energy Coordination, Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment.

Representatives from Government, private sector and civil society.

Selamat Pagi!

A very warm welcome to all of you.

I am glad to see a wide cross section of representatives joining the national consultation today. 

This kickstarts the process towards ratification of the 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 by the Government of Indonesia. 

Let me commend H.E. Minister Luhut, for the leadership of your Coordinating Ministry and the Government, in being amongst the first countries to sign the agreement of the high seas treaty last year.

This is the most significant new treaty on ocean governance in decades, covering two thirds of the world's oceans. 

As we know oceans are a major carbon sink, absorbing about 25% of all carbon emissions globally. 

These high seas ocean ecosystems play a crucial role in sequestering carbon by capturing and storing carbon in plant biomass and sediments​.

This treaty is of great importance for Indonesia, given that it possesses one of the world’s longest coastlines. Whatever happens in the high seas will affect Indonesia because the sea is an interconnected ecosystem. 

Therefore, its rapid ratification is important. 

From the perspective of the UN, I know BBNJ will contribute to advancing the SDGs, Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity target to protect 30% of the marine environment and doubling the blue economy over the next two decades.

As I am new to the country, today is a great opportunity to deepen my understanding on substantive issues related to the treaty. 

Having said this, this treaty underscores the importance of the interdependence of developed and developing countries in managing the shared resources of the high seas. This gives significance for collaborative international efforts for sustainable use and conservation of marine resources.

Indonesia’s leadership has been crucial in making this more inclusive, comprehensive, while being premised on principles of equity for all countries to benefit equally. 

Many high seas fish stocks are shared among multiple nations and are vital for global food security. Sustainable management is essential to maintain fishing activities at levels that allow fish populations to regenerate, ensuring livelihoods for future generations. 

It will also ensure equity and resource sharing in effective conservation and management of genetic resources and ecosystem services. This is not only a matter of fairness but also essential for international cooperation and peace.

During the treaty negotiations, Indonesia championed the increasing involvement of developing countries in the sustainable use of genetic resources in international waters and actively pushed for biotechnology to be an integral aspect of technology transfer. 

Leveraging biotechnology for conservation purposes is key. 

Techniques like environmental DNA sequencing allow for non-invasive monitoring to track species diversity and abundance without harming the ecosystem. This technology can be particularly useful in vast and hard-to-monitor areas like the high seas.

Biotechnological techniques, such as assisted evolution or selective breeding can help species adapt to changing conditions, with bioremediation used to clean up pollutants from marine environments. 

Similarly, conducting bioprospecting, which is the search for commercially valuable chemical compounds in nature, will involve implementing guidelines for benefits derived from marine genetic resources to be shared with the global community, including developing countries.

Aligning biotechnological innovations with biodiversity conservation and sustainable use, is essential for addressing the complex challenges of marine conservation.

In conclusion, I extend my congratulations to the Government for its visionary leadership in spearheading the ratification process as we celebrate World Oceans Day this month. 

The World Oceans Conference next year presents an opportunity to adopt this legally binding treaty as well as the global treaty to end plastic pollution. These milestones will advance our shared mission of protecting our oceans for future generations.

Now is the time for governments, businesses, investors, scientists and communities to come together in support of our ocean.

Terima Kasih