AKP Phnom Penh, September 25, 2025 --

Cambodia has been honoured with the High Seas Treaty Champion Award in recognition of its commitment to the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement), according to a press release from the Ministry of Environment issued on Wednesday.

H.E. Eang Sophalleth, Minister of Environment, accepted the award at a side event held in New York on Sept. 23 (U.S. time).

“Receiving this award honours Cambodia as one of the 56 founding countries among the first 60 to join the BBNJ Agreement,” he stated.

H.E. Eang Sophalleth is currently leading a Cambodian delegation to attend a special event on climate action during the High-Level Week of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 80) and related meetings taking place from Sept. 23 to 25, 2025, in New York.

Cambodia ratified the BBNJ Agreement on Sept. 6, 2025, after signing it at the 3rd United Nations Conference on Oceans in Nice, France, on June 9, 2025.

The UN High Seas Treaty was officially established following the ratification by the first 60 countries at the UNGA 80 High-Level Week. It is set to enter into force in January 2026, marking a milestone in international cooperation to protect oceans, combat climate change, and safeguard the lives and livelihoods of communities worldwide.

By Chan S. Ratha