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British Indian Ocean Territory: Marine Protected Areas

Asked by Mr Mark FrancoisConservativeForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled Answered 9 June 2025UIN 54677

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Article 5(2) of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse supporting the Government of Mauritius in (a) establishing and (b) managing the Chagos Archipelago Marine Protected Area over the next ten years.

Answered by Stephen Doughty

The Blue Belt Programme, which is funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development office, currently supports BIOT to manage the current Marine Protected Area. As the Treaty states, the terms of the management and support provided by the UK to Mauritius to establish and manage the Chagos Archipelago Marine Protected Area will be agreed between the Parties by a separate written instrument, as part of implementation of the Agreement.

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