Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Mauritania, and Guinea-Bissau have ratified the High Seas Treaty, joining Cameroon and Gabon, who did so a few weeks earlier.
The ratification was announced in a press release by Greenpeace Africa on the sidelines of the United Nations Ocean Conference held in Nice.
This simultaneous ratification marks “a historic turning point,” according to the NGO, which sees it as a strong signal of Africa’s commitment to protecting marine ecosystems.
“Africa must not remain a spectator – it has the power and legitimacy to take the lead in ocean governance,” said Dr. Aliou Ba, head of the Ocean campaign at Greenpeace Africa, quoted in the statement, according to FAAPA.
The expert warned of growing threats to coastal communities, already affected by overfishing, with the potential arrival of deep-sea mining.
These ratifications are part of a continental momentum that began a few weeks earlier with the signing of the treaty by Cameroon and Gabon.
Greenpeace Africa now calls on these countries to “translate this commitment into concrete actions.” This should include the creation of marine protected areas, enhanced maritime surveillance, and adherence to international commitments.
Adopted by the UN in 2023, the High Seas Treaty aims to protect at least 30% of the oceans by 2030 by establishing a legal framework for marine protected areas beyond national jurisdictions.
