Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Marine Biological Diversity Agreement

Tuesday 13 May 2025 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Primary legislation is required to ratify the agreement under the United Nations convention.
  • Legislation to implement the agreement will be introduced as soon as the parliamentary timetable allows.
  • The marine protected area for the Chagos Islands will continue to be protected according to assurances given.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Anna Gelderd Lab South East Cornwall
Environment
Context

The UK has led world-class conservation efforts and committed to the landmark high seas treaty. However, without ratification, the UK risks losing its place in shaping this vital treaty's implementation and future direction.

Question

What progress has been made on ratifying the agreement under the United Nations convention on the law of the sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction? Can the Minister confirm when legislation to ratify the agreement will be introduced, or provide a clear timetable?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Catherine West)

Primary legislation is required to give effect to our obligations under the agreement. Legislation to implement the agreement will be introduced as soon as the legislative timetable allows.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Providing a specific timetable or date for introducing the legislation

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Q2 Andrew Rosindell Reform Romford
Foreign Affairs Environment
Context

The UK is a world leader in protecting marine environments, particularly around the British Overseas Territories. The shadow Minister questions if the proposed treaty will have any guaranteed protections in place and asks about assurances for future protections of an important marine protected area.

Question

Will the proposed treaty have any guaranteed protections in place? Will she confirm what was said in a legal letter to British Chagossians—that their right of return is not guaranteed?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Catherine West)

Following the trip that was undertaken together when both were on the Foreign Affairs Committee, it is assured that the marine protected area will continue. The environment has been at the heart of negotiations. Indeed, he must remember that as a chair of the Chagos Islands all-party parliamentary group, he began the debate with the Mauritians.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Providing clear confirmations about future protections and legal guarantees for British Chagossians' right of return

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