UN Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement Enters into Force to Govern Biodiversity on High Seas

The legally binding UN treaty known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement enters into force to govern biodiversity in ocean zones beyond national waters and the international seabed area. It is relevant now as it becomes an implementing agreement to UNCLOS, with 83 nations having ratified it; India signs but is yet to ratify.

Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement:

Dimension	Key Details
Official name	Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement
Legal nature	Provides for a legally binding UN treaty
Coverage	Applies to ocean zones beyond national waters (“high seas”) and the international seabed area
Status of covered regions	Global common oceans open to all for purposes such as navigation, overflight, laying submarine cables, and pipelines
Ocean surface share	Make up over two-thirds of the ocean’s surface
Adoption	Adopted in 2023 by the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction convened under the auspices of the United Nations
Relation to UNCLOS	Becomes the third implementing agreement to UNCLOS, in addition to the 1994 Part XI Implementation Agreement and the 1995 UN Fish Stocks Agreement
Objective	Ensuring the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ)
Main issues addressed	Covers marine genetic resources and benefit-sharing, area-based management tools like marine protected areas, environmental impact assessments, and capacity-building with marine technology transfer.
Institutional arrangements	Sets up a Conference of the Parties, a Clearing-House Mechanism, and a secretariat
Funding	Establishes a funding mechanism
Ratification status	Members comprise 83 nations that have ratified the treaty; India signed the agreement but is yet to ratify