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Cabinet officials

Nigeria Calls for Urgent Action to Protect Ocean Ecosystems and Ensure Equitable Access to Marine Resources

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Nigeria has emphasized the need for collective global action to secure the health of the oceans for future generations, highlighting its commitment to achieving the targets of Sustainable Development Goal 14 and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The country has also urged the international community to provide financial support for developing countries' blue economy initiatives and to ratify the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement. Nigeria has commenced its ratification process of the BBNJ Agreement and aims to designate at least 30 percent of the global ocean as marine protected areas by 2030.

Key Takeaways:

  • Nigeria has called for the urgent ratification of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement to protect ocean ecosystems and ensure equitable access to marine resources.
  • The country has commenced its ratification process of the BBNJ Agreement and aims to designate at least 30 percent of the global ocean as marine protected areas by 2030.
  • Nigeria is spearheading efforts among West African nations to designate a highly protected High Seas Marine Protected Area in the Convergence Zone of the Canary and Guinea Currents.
  • The country has implemented several domestic initiatives, including the adoption of a National Blue Economy Policy, to strengthen its ocean governance and support the development of a blue economy.
  • Nigeria is committed to tackling transboundary ocean challenges, such as illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, marine dumping, and the need for enhanced ocean monitoring.
  • The country has reaffirmed its commitment to implementing ocean-related multilateral agreements and has called on all nations to take bold and urgent actions to protect the oceans and prioritize SDG 14.

Statistics:

  • 90% of excess heat from greenhouse gas emissions is absorbed by the world's oceans (Source: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres).
  • Nigeria aims to designate at least 30 percent of the global ocean as marine protected areas by 2030.
  • The Convergence Zone of the Canary and Guinea Currents is a key area for the designation of a highly protected High Seas Marine Protected Area (Source: Nigerian Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy).
  • Nigeria is committed to implementing ocean-related multilateral agreements, including the BBNJ Agreement and the African Union Agenda 2063 (Source: Nigerian Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy).

Sources:

  • Statement by Minister Adegboyega Oyetola on behalf of President Bola Tinubu at the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France.
  • United Nations Ocean Conference website (no specific date mentioned).
  • Speech by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France (no specific date mentioned).

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