Formally known as Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, was adopted in 2023 by Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction.

• Ministry of Earth Sciences is implementing agreement in India.

About Agreement on Marine Biodiversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (High Seas Treaty)

• It is an international treaty under United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
• Aim: Conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

Features:

• It would define and demarcate marine protected areas in biodiversity-rich zones of oceans that are under stress.
• Parties cannot exercise sovereign rights over marine resources derived from high seas.

Significance: 

• Enhance India’s strategic presence in areas beyond EEZ.
• Contribute to achieving several SDGs, particularly SDG14 (Life Below Water); 
• Strengthen India’s marine conservation efforts, open new avenues for scientific research and development etc.
• Promotes using traditional knowledge and best available scientific knowledge.

Agreement addresses four main issues

• Marine genetic resources, including fair and equitable sharing of benefits.
• Measures such as area-based management tools, including marine protected areas.
• Environmental impact assessments.
• Capacity-building and transfer of marine technology.

About UNCLOS An international convention (adopted in 1982 & came into force in 1994) which laid down a comprehensive regime of law and order in world's oceans & seas. About High Seas  High seas are defined by international lawas all parts of ocean that aren't included in Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), territorial sea, or internal waters of a country, or in archipelagic waters of an archipelagic country.  High seas and associated resources are not directly owned or regulated by any country. High seas comprise 64% of ocean.