UN BBNJ Treaty crossed 60 Ratifications

Context

With Morocco and Sierra Leone being the 60th and 61st nations, the UN’s BBNJ Treaty recently reached the milestone of 60 ratifications.

Key Highlights

• The official name of the treaty is the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the High Seas, and it is signed by the UN. The Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity in Regions Outside National Jurisdiction (BBNJ).
• It is based on the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), sometimes known as the “Constitution For The Oceans,” which was approved in 1982 and has been in force since 1994.
• In accordance with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, it aims to protect biodiversity in the high seas, which are regions outside of national boundaries. 
• The aim is to safeguard 30% of the world’s land and marine regions by the year 2030.
• As of right now, just 1.44% of the high seas are protected in any manner.
• It creates laws that are legally enforceable to:
  • • Establish Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in international waters; Currently, only 1.89% of the ocean is designated as no-take MPAs, where extractive operations are not permitted, and only 6.35% is protected.
    • Guarantee a fair and equitable distribution of the advantages of Marine Genetic Resources (MGRs);
    • Require environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for operations such as carbon sequestration and deep-sea mining;
    • Encourage scientific cooperation, capacity development, and technology transfer;

Treaty Conditions for Coming Into Effect

• The requirements for a treaty to enter into force are often stated in the treaty itself, according to the UN.
• The explicit requirement for the BBNJ Treaty is that:
  • • The agreement becomes effective 120 days after the deposit of the 60th instrument of ratification, approval, acceptance, or accession.
    • This indicates that the treaty becomes legally enforceable for the treaty’s signatories 120 days after 60 nations have formally ratified or acceded to it.

India’s Position and Priorities for Strategic Planning

• With the goal of increasing India’s strategic presence outside of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the Union Cabinet of India authorized the signing of the BBNJ Treaty in July 2024.
  • • It promotes scientific study and makes it easier to get marine genetic resources and technology.
• India’s proactive position demonstrates its dedication to Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water) as well as its overall concept of environmental stewardship.

Way Ahead

• The treaty’s operational mechanics will be defined by the Preparatory Commission (PrepCom).
• These include establishing the scientific and technical institutions, specifying the criteria for experts, and defining the methods for evaluating MPA applications.
• First Conference of Parties (COP1): It will take place after the treaty enters into force, signaling the start of official implementation.
• These seminars have covered resource mobilization, financial regulations, the Clearing-House Mechanism, and governance.

Source: The DTE

Prelims PYQ

(Q) With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, consider the following statements: (2022)

1. A coastal state has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles, measured from baseline determined in accordance with the convention.
2. Ships of all states, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea.
3. The Exclusive Economic Zone shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the baseline from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

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