India Signs the BBNJ Agreement to Protect Marine Biodiversity

India officially signed the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement at the United Nations General Assembly. 

About BBNJ Agreement

• The BBNJ Agreement, also known as the High Seas Treaty, is an international treaty developed under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
•  It is the third implementing agreement under UNCLOS, following:
  • 1994 Part XI Implementation Agreement – addressing exploration and extraction of mineral resources in the international seabed area.
  • 1995 UN Fish Stocks Agreement – concerning the conservation and management of straddling and migratory fish stocks.
• The BBNJ Agreement takes an inclusive, ecosystem-centric approach based on the precautionary principle, promoting both traditional knowledge and the best available scientific information.

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Timeline of Adoption and Ratification

• Adoption: The BBNJ Agreement was adopted by consensus at the 5th Intergovernmental Conference in New York on 19th June 2023.
• Open for Signature: Countries can sign the agreement for two years starting September 2023.
• Entry into Force:  It will be an international legally binding treaty that will come into force 120 days after the 60th ratification.
• Signatories: As of September 2024,  nearly 100 countries have signed it, and eight of them have ratified it.
• Closing Date: The agreement will close for signature on September 20, 2025, after which countries can only accede to the treaty.

Aims of the BBNJ Agreement

The BBNJ Agreement aims to address growing concerns over the long-term protection of marine biodiversity on the high seas, areas beyond the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of coastal nations.

• Conservation and protection of marine ecology.
• Fair and equitable sharing of benefits from marine genetic resources.
• Implementation of environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for activities potentially harmful to marine ecosystems.
• Capacity building and technology transfer to help developing countries fully utilize marine resources and contribute to their conservation.

Key Features of the BBNJ Agreement

• Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs): Mandatory for activities in international waters that may harm marine ecosystems.
  • EIAs are to be made public and conducted even within national jurisdictions if impacts are expected in the high seas.
• Benefit Sharing Guidelines: The treaty outlines fair benefit-sharing principles for marine genetic resources (MGR) collected through research.
• Biodiversity Conservation: Proposes protection for 30% of the world’s oceans and increases funding for marine conservation efforts.
• International Cooperation: Promotes sustainable use of marine biological diversity through international cooperation.
  • Ensures that no country can claim sovereign rights over high seas resources.

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About High Seas

• The high seas are areas beyond 200 nautical miles from the exclusive economic zones of coastal countries as defined in  the 1958 Geneva Convention.
• Extent: The high seas cover 64% of the ocean surface and account for 43% of the Earth’s surface.
• Importance of the High Seas
  • Biodiversity: The high seas are home to around 2.7 lakh known species, with many yet to be discovered.
  • Climate Regulation: They play a crucial role in regulating the climate by absorbing carbon and storing solar radiation.
• Despite their significance, only 1.44% of the high seas are protected, making them vulnerable to overexploitation, pollution, and biodiversity loss.

Anthropogenic Pressures on the High Seas

• Overfishing and the introduction of invasive species.
• Seabed mining and chemical spills.
• Pollution, including plastics and untreated waste.
  • In 2021, the UN estimated that about 17 million tonnes of plastic were dumped into the oceans
• Ocean acidification and noise pollution.

BBNJ Agreement’s Impact on India

India’s participation in the BBNJ Agreement represents a significant step towards marine conservation and sustainable utilisation of resources in areas beyond its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The benefits for India include:

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• Strategic Presence: Expanding India’s strategic influence in international waters.
• Strengthening Conservation: Further collaboration on marine conservation efforts, capacity building, and technology transfer.
• Access to Resources: New avenues for scientific research, development, and access to marine genetic resources.
  • In line with India’s Deep Ocean Mission.