Panama’s Minister of Environment, Juan Carlos Navarro, declared a historic victory for global ocean conservation this week. The international High Seas Treaty, formally known as the BBNJ agreement, entered into force, establishing the first legal framework to protect marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
Navarro made the announcement through an official social media statement. He emphasized that the treaty covers the vast majority of the world’s ocean surface, areas that have lacked specific regulation for decades. The minister described the moment as a turning point for planetary stewardship.
“The BBNJ allows us to protect marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. From today, it will be possible to create Marine Protected Areas on the high seas, require environmental impact assessments, and promote responsible and equitable use of marine resources,” said Minister Juan Carlos Navarro. [Translated from Spanish]
This legal shift enables coordinated international action to safeguard the open ocean. The treaty’s mechanisms are designed to ensure science-based management and equitable sharing of benefits from marine genetic resources.
A Commitment Sealed by Presidential Action
Panama positioned itself as an early supporter of the accord. The nation’s formal participation was secured on September 30, 2024, when President José Raúl Mulino sanctioned the law approving the High Seas Treaty (BBNJ). This legislative action reaffirmed the country’s commitment to ocean health and intergenerational responsibility.
Navarro, a long-time advocate for environmental policy, framed the treaty as a testament to the power of global cooperation. He argued that complex environmental challenges demand collective solutions. The minister pointed to this agreement as proof that multilateral diplomacy can still secure vital protections for shared planetary commons.
“The ocean has a stronger voice today,” Navarro stated, highlighting the global significance of this environmental milestone. [Translated from Spanish]
For Panama, a nation whose identity and economy are inextricably linked to the sea, the treaty’s activation carries profound symbolic and practical weight. It aligns with broader national strategies for sustainable marine management.
New Tools for Global Ocean Governance
The treaty’s entry into force unlocks several critical tools for conservation. One of the most significant is the new legal authority to establish Marine Protected Areas on the high seas. This could lead to the creation of vast, internationally recognized sanctuaries in remote oceanic regions.
Another cornerstone is the mandatory requirement for comprehensive Environmental impact assessment for planned activities in these waters. This process will subject potential industrial projects, like deep-sea mining, to greater scrutiny before they can proceed. The treaty also establishes frameworks for capacity-building and technology transfer, aiming to ensure all nations can participate in and benefit from the stewardship of marine resources.
Environmental groups have hailed the development as a landmark achievement. They note that the high seas have long been a governance gap, vulnerable to overexploitation and pollution due to fragmented and weak regulations. The new treaty aims to fill that void with cohesive, binding international law.
Implementation will be the next major challenge. The treaty body must now be fully established, and individual nations will need to integrate its provisions into their own domestic policies and enforcement regimes. The path from agreement on paper to tangible protection in the water is complex. Panama’s early ratification, championed by officials like juan carlos navarro, places it in a position to help shape those ongoing discussions.
Minister Navarro concluded his remarks by connecting this international success to Panama’s enduring environmental legacy. He suggested that protecting the global ocean is a direct extension of the country’s own conservation work. The minister’s focus on future generations underscored a long-term view of environmental policy, a perspective he has applied to domestic projects as well. This global milestone arrives as Panama continues to navigate other significant national matters, including the upcoming juan carlos trial, demonstrating the multifaceted challenges facing the nation’s leadership.