As part of the 2025 Plenary, the Forum held the event “Conserving the sea, beyond borders” with authorities and organizations from Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Brazil. It was a space for dialogue and reflection on the challenges and opportunities to protect the marine ecosystems of the Southern Cone.
The event underscored the importance of ocean governance based on knowledge, science, multi-sectoral commitment and regional integration, especially in a context where threats to ocean health demand urgent and coordinated responses. The Forum, a network of 30 organizations working in marine conservation, supported the nomination of
Valparaiso as the technical venue for the BBNJ Treaty. Daniela Castro, Coordinator of the Chilean Node of the Forum commented that “since last year, we have been calling on the countries of the Southern Cone to ratify this priority treaty to implement area-based conservation measures and the sustainable and equitable use of genetic resources in the High Seas, and to support Valparaiso as the first UN headquarters in a South American country”.
This international agreement will be a very significant step forward for global marine management and conservation. As highlighted by Alejandro Vila, President of the Forum, “We look forward to the entry into force of the Treaty, after the signature and ratification by law of at least 60 countries around the world. Chile was one of the first countries to ratify the Treaty, and therefore, in addition to becoming the host country for the secretariat of this new convention, continues to demonstrate its leadership and commitment to marine issues of international relevance”.
The activity was attended by prominent authorities, including Ambassador Julio Cordano, who emphasized that the BBNJ Treaty generates governance in a vast area of the high seas and is a great achievement of developing countries. “The region is on our side, it is very supportive and in Chile we have great harmony and political consensus on these issues. But this type of initiative cannot happen without civil society (…) Global or regional forums contribute to this general interest, and allow the Global South to be better represented. The candidacy is strengthened by civil society because they bring transparency, vigilance and solvency to the Treaty. Your statement is very important”.
Also in attendance were the Rector of the University of Valparaiso, Osvaldo Corrales Jorquera, Senator Ricardo Lagos Weber and the Director of the National Maritime Museum, Rear Admiral Andrés Rodrigo Ramirez, who shared their vision on the role of regional cooperation, science, education and public policy towards a necessary cultural,
ethical and values change for marine conservation at a global level.
The Forum for the Conservation of the Patagonian Sea thus reaffirms its mission to promote a common vision for the conservation of the southern seas, calling for joint action by governments, scientific institutions and civil society organizations, beyond borders. “The Forum arises from the conviction that marine life, the ecological integrity of marine and coastal ecosystems, oceanographic processes and the cycles of the elements transcend the boundaries that human societies have established. It is significant that this Treaty, by focusing on areas beyond national jurisdictions, is inspired by a similar logic: it recognizes the prominence of biological diversity and promotes international cooperation for its conservation and sustainable use,” concluded Andrea Michelson, Coordinator of the Forum..
