Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Mauritania, and Guinea-Bissau have officially ratified the High Seas Treaty, joining Cameroon and Gabon in a growing wave of African support for marine conservation.
The announcement, made by Greenpeace Africa on the sidelines of the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, marks a significant moment in the continent’s environmental diplomacy.
The treaty, adopted by the UN in 2023, seeks to protect at least 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030 through the creation of marine protected areas beyond national jurisdictions.
Greenpeace Africa hailed the joint ratification as a historic step, emphasizing the urgent need for action to counter threats such as overfishing and the looming danger of deep-sea mining.
The organization urged signatory countries to back their commitments with tangible steps, including the establishment of protected marine zones, improved maritime surveillance, and adherence to global conservation standards.
The move reflects a growing regional momentum toward safeguarding marine ecosystems and supporting coastal communities across Africa.
