Turkey Ratifies Agreement Referencing the Law of the Sea Convention

Turkey has ratified the “Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction,” which was signed in New York in September 2024. The ratification was done through a law passed by the Turkish Grand National Assembly and published in the Official Gazette. The agreement is based on and references the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), of which Turkey is not a party. This ratification marks a move by Turkey towards the conservation of marine biodiversity, but also reminds of its position regarding UNCLOS. The agreement aims for the sustainable use of marine resources in areas not subject to the national jurisdiction of any state. Through this ratification, Turkey undertakes obligations for the management and protection of marine biodiversity in international waters. It is expected to contribute to international efforts to address the challenges related to overfishing, pollution, and climate change in the seas and oceans.