The land of beautiful beaches is also a guardian of the seas. Thailand’s government has signed the Global Ocean Treaty, also known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, in which countries pledge to protect and conserve the oceans beyond their territorial waters.

“The signing highlights Thailand’s determination to support global efforts to protect marine biodiversity,” said Cherdchai Chaivaivid, Thailand’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, who took part in the Signing Ceremony in New York.

The Treaty must now be ratified by Thailand’s Parliament. The cabinet of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra instructed lawmakers to begin the ratification process.

The Treaty provides a framework for establishing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the high seas, promoting sustainable marine resource management, and ensuring the equitable sharing of marine genetic resources, according to the global environmental group called Greenpeace. It also facilitates access to marine scientific knowledge and technology transfer, helping countries build their capacity for ocean conservation.

“We applaud the Thai government for taking this vital step toward ocean protection,” said Nichanan Tanthanawit, an Ocean Campaigner of Greenpeace. “The high seas are one of the last frontiers of biodiversity, and Thailand’s commitment to the Global Ocean Treaty reinforces its role in international conservation efforts.”

By helping to protect the environmental health of the high seas, Thailand will be taking an essential step for the health of its own coastal ecosystems. Many migratory species, vital for local fisheries and marine balance, rely on interconnected ocean habitats, many of which have been deteriorating in recent years.

“By supporting strong ocean protections through the Global Ocean Treaty, Thailand is contributing to a global network of conservation that ultimately benefits coastal communities, small-scale fishers, and marine ecosystems at home,” Greenpeace said in a press release.

Photo: https://www.mfa.go.th/