KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica is sharpening its position as a regional authority on ocean governance as a landmark United Nations treaty reshapes how the world manages marine resources beyond national borders.
With the High Seas Treaty now in force, the Government says the agreement creates both strategic responsibility and economic opportunity for island states with maritime influence. The accord establishes new rules for protecting biodiversity in international waters while opening channels for scientific collaboration and shared benefits from marine discovery.
Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith described the treaty as a structural shift in how countries engage the ocean — not only as an environmental asset, but as an economic and geopolitical domain.
Jamaica, she noted, has spent recent years strengthening its domestic marine agenda through sustainable fisheries policy, coastal resilience programmes and ecosystem restoration. The new framework extends that work into international waters, especially in research access, technology transfer and fair distribution of marine-derived value.
The country was not a passive observer. Jamaica participated directly in the negotiations, signed the agreement in late 2024 and completed ratification mid-2025 at the UN Oceans Conference in Europe — positioning itself among the early movers in implementation.
Officials point to Jamaica’s broader maritime credentials: host nation of the International Seabed Authority, long-standing supporter of the Law of the Sea framework, and an active voice in multilateral ocean diplomacy.
That influence is reinforced by Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ involvement in the High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, a coalition linking conservation with economic development across coastal states.
Government sources say the objective now is execution — aligning domestic policy, scientific institutions and regulatory systems to extract long-term value while protecting marine capital.
The treaty enters force at a time when competition for ocean resources is intensifying, from genetic materials to deep-sea minerals. For Jamaica, officials frame the moment as an inflection point: from steward of regional waters to architect of international ocean governance.
The message from Kingston is measured but clear — in the emerging ocean economy, presence, policy and positioning matter.
