Commons Sense

House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement

UK Ocean Leadership

25 March 2024 · Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Proposed by Andrew Mitchell Con Sutton Coldfield

ClimateEnvironmentForeign Affairs

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

View on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Key points

  • UK aims to prepare legislation by June 2025 to ratify the BBNJ Agreement
  • UK supports a moratorium on deep sea mining exploitation licences
  • UK promotes an ambitious treaty to end plastic pollution

Issue summary

The statement updates Parliament on the UK's commitment to uphold international agreements for marine biodiversity, including the BBNJ Agreement and efforts against deep sea mining exploitation.

Action requested

The UK aims to prepare legislation by June 2025 to ratify the BBNJ Agreement, ensuring compliance with new obligations for businesses and science. The country also supports a moratorium on deep sea mining exploitation licences and promotes an ambitious treaty to end plastic pollution.

Key facts

  • The UK signed the BBNJ Agreement on 20 September 2023.
  • To enter into force, 60 more states or regional economic integration organisations are needed beyond the current 88 signatures and two ratifications.
  • The UK Blue Belt Programme protects 4.4 million square kilometres of ocean around Overseas Territories.
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