Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement

Recently, the Union Cabinet approved India to sign the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement.

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Key Highlights

• Objective: It addresses the growing concerns over the long-term protection of marine biodiversity in the high seas. 
• The Ministry of Earth Science (MoES) will lead the country’s implementation of the BBNJ Agreement. 
• It allows India to enhance its strategic presence beyond Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). 
• The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction was adopted in 2023 by an intergovernmental conference on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction. 
• BBNJ is an international treaty under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). It is also known as the ‘High Sea Treaty’. 
• It sets precise mechanisms for the sustainable use of marine biological diversity through international cooperation and coordination.
• It will also help to achieve several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 14 (Life Below Water).

 

The Agreement covers four elements:

• Marine genetic resources, fair and equitable share of benefits.
• Environment Impact Assessment (EIA)
• Capacity building and marine technology transfer. 
• Area-based management tools including marine protected areas.