The Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC) welcomes the announcement that Malawi has become the first African country to support a precautionary pause on deep-sea mining, marking a significant milestone for the ocean and growing momentum against the speculative and destructive deep-sea mining industry.
With Malawi’s decision, 41 countries now support a moratorium or precautionary pause, reflecting growing global recognition that deep-sea mining must not move ahead in the absence of sufficient scientific knowledge and clear understanding of environmental and socio-economic risks.
H.E. Hon. Dr. George Chaponda, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malawi, said: “As the first landlocked country to ratify the BBNJ Agreement, Malawi believes that protecting the ocean must be a shared priority for all nations, with or without a coastline. What happens in the ocean affects us all. This is why Malawi supports a global precautionary pause on deep-sea mining until scientific, economic and governance uncertainties are resolved. Science must lead, and the common heritage of humankind must be protected for generations to come. We must not exploit the deep sea unless we know how to protect it.”
“This is such an important and hopeful moment. Malawi’s announcement is a powerful reminder that choosing precaution means choosing responsibility, care, and the protection of the ocean before irreversible damage is made. We hope this step inspires more governments, across Africa and around the world, to help shape a future grounded in precaution, stewardship, and ocean protection.” said Sofia Tsenikli, Global Campaign Director, DSCC.
