Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi confirmed that India has signed the Convention on National Jurisdiction over Biological Diversity (BBNJ). This decision is a significant step towards the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, often referred to as the high seas. These areas are open to internationally legal purposes such as navigation, overflights and the laying of submarine cables and pipelines. The implementation of the BBNJ agreement is managed by the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Dr. Jitendra Singh of the Ministry of Geography and Ministry of Science and Technology noted, “India is committed to environmental protection and sustainable development. We have signed the BBNJ Agreement and hope to ratify it through the necessary legislative processes.”
The board meeting took place on July 2, 2024. The BBNJ Agreement, also known as the “High Seas Agreement”, is an international Agreement according to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) It deals with the long-term conservation of marine biodiversity in the high seas and establishes mechanisms for the sustainable use of marine biodiversity through international cooperation, “. The BBNJ agreement will strengthen our strategic presence beyond our EEZ, strengthen marine conservation efforts and promote capacity and technology transfer.” The BBNJ Agreement is the third implementing agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Sea. along with the 1994 -dated Part XI Implementing Agreement and the 1995 UN Fish Stocks Agreement. Adopted on December 10, 1982 and in force since November 16, 1994, UNCLOS is crucial for the protection of the marine environment, maritime boundaries, rights to marine resources, and dispute resolution. To date, more than 160 countries have ratified UNCLOS. The BBNJ Agreement, agreed in March 2023, will be open for signature for two years from September 2023 and will become legally binding 120 days after the 60th ratification. By June 2024, 91 countries have signed the BBNJ Treaty and eight parties have ratified it..