India has signed the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, aimed at promoting the conservation of marine genetic resources and ensuring the fair and equitable sharing of associated benefits.
“India is proud to join the BBNJ Agreement, a crucial step towards keeping our oceans healthy and resilient,” said External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in a post on X after signing the treaty at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Wednesday.
Known as the High Seas Treaty, the agreement is part of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). It applies to the high seas, which constitute nearly two-thirds (64%) of the ocean and cover almost half of the planet’s surface. These areas are some of the most ecologically vital yet critically threatened and least protected on earth, with less than 1% currently under full or high protection.
The treaty addresses concerns over the long-term preservation of marine biodiversity in the high seas by setting clear mechanisms for sustainable use through international cooperation and coordination. It prohibits any party from claiming sovereign rights over marine resources in these areas and ensures the fair sharing of benefits.
Adopting an inclusive, ecosystem-based approach rooted in the precautionary principle, the treaty encourages the use of traditional knowledge alongside the best scientific data available. It aims to minimize environmental impacts through area-based management tools and establishes guidelines for conducting environmental impact assessments.
In March 2023, after five years of negotiations, nations reached a landmark agreement on the High Seas Treaty to protect ocean life and curb global biodiversity decline. The treaty will enter into force once ratified by at least 60 countries, providing a legal framework to address governance gaps and guide the conservation of biodiversity beyond national jurisdictions.
According to the High Seas Alliance, the High Seas Treaty is the first comprehensive, international, and legally binding framework specifically designed to protect high seas biodiversity, following two decades of discussions.
At a recent workshop on the BBNJ in Chennai, PK Srivastava, an advisor to the Union Earth Sciences Ministry, announced plans to establish a dedicated institutional mechanism to oversee the implementation of the agreement. “This authority will handle the necessary regulations, studies, and activities related to the treaty,” he said.
Srivastava highlighted the need for thorough discussions and revisions to existing legislation to align with the treaty’s requirements, suggesting that the Environment Protection Act could be leveraged for conducting environmental impact assessments under the BBNJ Agreement.
