Joseph Emmanuel Philippe, Director General of the Ministry of the Environment, accompanied by Éric Junior Prévost, Director General of the Maritime and Navigation Service of Haiti (SEMANAH), represented Haiti at the first session of the Preparatory Commission for the Entry into Force of the International Treaty for the Protection of the High Seas and Marine Biodiversity (BBNJ) (outside the Exclusive Economic Zones and the Continental Shelf of Coastal States). This session was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from April 14 to 25, 2025.

During the closing plenary session, Philippe delivered a speech reaffirming Haiti's commitment to an inclusive, equitable, and effective approach to the implementation of the historic agreement, unanimously adopted in June 2023 and since signed by 113 states.

Joseph Emmanuel Philippe praised the spirit of consensus that characterized the proceedings. He fully endorsed the positions expressed by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS). He also supported phased implementation, with flexibility for small delegations, and emphasized the need for balanced representation in subsidiary bodies, for the benefit of developing countries.

Haiti also supported the establishment of a Secretariat linked to the United Nations system to ensure transparency and legitimacy. It supported the creation of a robust trust fund to facilitate access to funding and expressed support for an accessible, multilingual, and secure Clearinghouse.

In conclusion, Haiti emphasized that the swift and equitable implementation of the BBNJ Agreement is not only an environmental necessity, but also an ocean justice imperative, particularly for small island developing states. The Haitian delegation benefited from the support of officials from the Permanent Mission of Haiti to the United Nations, notably Dr. Wisnique Panier, Minister Counselor, who actively participated in strategic discussions on the sidelines of the sessions. This close collaboration between the Ministry of the Environment, SEMANAH, and the Permanent Mission made it possible to effectively defend Haiti's position in international negotiations on marine biodiversity.

Learn more about the BBNJ :

The BBNJ Treaty is an international instrument adopted under the auspices of the United Nations on June 19, 2023, after 20 years of negotiations. Open for signature since September 20, 2023, it has already been signed by 113 countries. The agreement aims to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. It represents a major step forward for the protection of the oceans, strengthening international cooperation in the face of growing threats such as pollution, overexploitation of marine resources, and climate change.

HL/ HaitiLibre