Sri Lanka recently became the 109th signatory to the agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the Conservation and Sustainable use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) in February 2025. This decision will enhance Sri Lanka’s potential to receive assistance for capacity-building projects, transfer of technology, and knowledge sharing in the country’s efforts in marine conservation. Following the signing of the Agreement, the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) has undertaken to establish an Inter-Ministerial Committee to oversee the ratification of the agreement and implementation of the Agreement’s provisions. The Committee is expected to commence and coordinate the drafting of legislation with international assistance to develop the necessary domestic legal framework aimed at early ratification.

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