Officially known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, the legally binding UN treaty covers the ocean zones that lie beyond national waters (namely, the “high seas”) and the international seabed area.
- These regions are global common oceans open to all for purposes such as navigation, overflight, laying submarine cables, pipelines etc. and make up over two-thirds of the ocean’s surface.
About BBNJ Agreement
- Adopted in 2023 by the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction convened under the auspices of the United Nations.
- It becomes third implementing agreement to UNCLOS, in addition to 1994 Part XI Implementation Agreement and 1995 UN Fish Stocks Agreement.
- Objective: Ensure the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ).
- It addresses four main issues:
- Marine genetic resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits
- Measures such as area-based management tools, including marine protected areas
- Environmental impact assessments
- Capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology
- It establishes a funding mechanism and sets up institutional arrangements, including a Conference of the Parties, a Clearing-House Mechanism and a secretariat.
- Members: 83 nations have ratified the treaty. India signed the agreement but is yet to ratify.
