UN High Seas Treaty Achieves Required Entry into Force Milestone

Concerning the BBNJ Agreement

It is the High Seas Treaty by the UN, officially referred to as the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea regarding the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ).

It is based on the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), commonly known as the ‘Constitution For The Oceans’, which was adopted in 1982 and became effective in 1994.

Its purpose is to protect biodiversity in the high seas—regions that are outside national boundaries—and to align with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework objective of conserving 30% of the world's terrestrial and marine areas by 2030.

At present, merely 1.44% of the high seas have any type of protection.

It creates enforceable regulations to:

Establish Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in global waters; currently, 6.35% of the ocean is safeguarded, with only 1.89% classified as no-take MPAs, where resource extraction is forbidden.

Guarantee just and equal distribution of advantages derived from Marine Genetic Resources (MGRs);

Require Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) for actions such as deep-sea mining and carbon capture;

Encourage collaboration in science, skill development, and transfer of technology;

India's Involvement and Strategic Priorities

In July 2024, India’s Union Cabinet consented to sign the BBNJ Treaty to strengthen India’s strategic influence outside its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

It creates opportunities for scientific studies and enhances access to marine genetic resources and technology.

India's proactive approach demonstrates its dedication to Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water) and its wider vision of environmental responsibility.

Subsequent Actions: PrepCom and COP1

Preparatory Commission (PrepCom): To establish the functional mechanisms of the treaty.

This involves establishing the scientific and technical organizations, defining qualifications for specialists, and specifying processes for evaluating MPA proposals.