There is still work to be done in achieving the goals of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Treaty.

For island states, like Antigua and Barbuda, the oceans are a lifeline, sustaining our people, our economies, and our future. We therefore cannot afford to lose sight of what is at stake if we fail to protect our marine biodiversity.

Following the conclusion of the third Preparatory Commission at the United Nations, important progress has been made, but key gaps remain in advancing the Treaty toward full operationalization.

Antigua and Barbuda remains fully committed to bridging those gaps and continuing to advocate for strong, equitable, and effective ocean governance.

We commend the sterling efforts of our delegation, led by Asha Challenger, First Secretary at the Permanent Mission and Vice President of the Preparatory Commission, whose leadership continues to elevate the voice of small island states.

She was supported by a dedicated technical team, including Legal Officer Darius Joseph of the Department of Marine Services and Marine Shipping (ADOMS), and Crown Counsel II Zachary Phillips from the Office of the Attorney General. Both were able to bring critical legal and policy expertise to the negotiations being lead by the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS).

Antigua and Barbuda remains committed to the process and will continue to champion the protection of our oceans for generations to come