The Government of Mauritius, the Commonwealth Secretariat and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office recently joined forces to develop a strategic partnership framework for implementing the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement that became international law earlier this year.
A three-day, in-person workshop - co-hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade of Mauritius, the Commonwealth Secretariat, and the British High Commission Port Louis - brought together 39 participants from various government departments and agencies, reflecting strong cross-government engagement and recognition that effective BBNJ implementation requires coordination across legal, environmental, fisheries, scientific and maritime institutions.
Opening remarks set the tone for constructive, forward-looking discussions and underscored the importance of international cooperation in protecting biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction. Hon Dhananjay Ramful, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, said:
“The implementation of such a vast instrument requires collective action. We cannot walk this path alone. I therefore call upon our steadfast partners, the United Nations family, the Commonwealth Secretariat, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and the broader international community, to rally behind developing nations. We need their continued technical and financial support to ensure that the promise of this Treaty translates into tangible reality for the ocean and the people who depend on it.”
Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General, Dr Arjoon Suddhoo, said:
"Mauritius is uniquely positioned to lead in this new era of ocean diplomacy. By being among the first to ratify the treaty, it has set a precedent for the Indian Ocean region. As Mauritius embarks on the development of its National Strategy for Ocean Development, your participation in implementing the BBNJ Agreement provides the legal teeth to protect your interests."
Exploring the pillars of the BBNJ Agreement
Participants engaged in in-depth discussions on the four core pillars of the BBNJ Agreement:
- marine genetic resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits;
- area-based management tools, including marine protected areas;
- environmental impact assessments; and
- capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology.
Sessions combined technical presentations, policy discussions, and practical exercises designed to translate the Agreement’s provisions into national implementation realities.
Conservation outcomes and development benefits
The workshop also provided space for participants to reflect on Mauritius’s specific interests and challenges. As a Small Island Developing State with a strong ocean economy and significant engagement in high seas activities, Mauritius has a clear stake in ensuring that the BBNJ Agreement delivers both conservation outcomes and development benefits. Discussions highlighted the importance of institutional coordination, legal preparedness, and access to scientific and technical capacity.
From dialogue to implementation
Since the workshop, the Commonwealth Secretariat's Oceans sections has conducted technical assistance meetings with key ministries and departments in Mauritius. These discussions helped identify national priorities, capacity needs, and opportunities for further support, including legislative reform, institutional arrangements, and alignment with ongoing regional and international initiatives.
The Mauritius workshop and technical sessions are part of a five-month long technical assistance project concluding in March 2026. In parallel with capacity building, the project is supporting a review of national legislation and a gap analysis to identify where new or amended legal instruments may be required to give effect to the BBNJ Agreement.
As momentum builds following the Agreement’s entry into force, the Mauritius project demonstrates how targeted, country-led capacity building can help turn global commitments into practical action. The Commonwealth Secretariat looks forward to continuing its close collaboration with Mauritius to support effective, inclusive, and sustainable implementation of the BBNJ Agreement, delivering benefits for the ocean, for the country, and for future generations.
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Suné Kitshoff
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