India has officially signed the Global Ocean Treaty, also known as the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ).
This international treaty aims to promote the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources in the high seas, areas that extend beyond a country’s exclusive economic zone, which is typically 200 nautical miles from the coastline. The BBNJ Agreement will facilitate the establishment of large protected areas in these regions to aid in the recovery of marine life and enhance resilience against climate change.
India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar announced the signing on x, expressing India’s pride in joining the BBNJ Agreement as a crucial step towards ensuring healthy and resilient oceans.
Signed the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement today the @UN HQ.
India is proud to join the BBNJ Agreement, an important step towards ensuring that our oceans remain healthy and resilient.#UNGA79 pic.twitter.com/AAcxT2bW2D
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 25, 2024
The BBNJ Agreement is part of the broader framework established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), addressing some of the most ecologically significant and vulnerable areas on Earth. The treaty adopts an ecosystem-centric approach to ensure that ocean resources are used sustainably, contributing to global biodiversity conservation efforts.
United Nations’ five key points on why it is important for the world
- Fresh protection beyond borders
- Cleaner oceans
- Sustainably managing fish stocks
- Lowering temperatures
- Vital for realizing 2030 Agenda
According to IMO, the BBNJ treaty addresses, among other things:
- the conservation and sustainable use of marine BBNJ.
- marine genetic resources, including questions on benefit-sharing (MGR).
- Area Based Management Tools (ABMT), including marine protected areas.
- environmental impact assessments (EIA).
- capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology (CB&TMT).
The treaty not only emphasizes the conservation of marine biodiversity but also focuses on the fair and equitable sharing of benefits derived from marine genetic resources. This initiative is particularly important as the high seas comprise nearly half of the planet’s surface and two-thirds of the ocean, which are increasingly threatened by human activity and climate change.
