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Business Recorder
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Pakistan signs UN agreement on ‘Law of Sea'
NEW YORK: Pakistan on Tuesday signed an agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) that establishes a legal framework for all marine and maritime activities. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar signed the agreement at the United Nations Headquarters here, during his eight-day visit to the United States of America. Pakistan played a leading role during the BBNJ negotiations, serving as Chair of the Group of 77 and China during the two main sessions in 2022. Representing the collective voice of developing countries, Pakistan consistently advocated for fair benefit-sharing, capacity-building, and technology transfer, in line with the principle of the common heritage of humankind. The signing of the BBNJ Agreement reflects on Pakistan's continued commitment to multilateral cooperation and to the protection and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
Business Recorder
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Pakistan signs UN agreement on Law of Sea
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar has signed the 'Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement)' at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The signing of the agreement reflects Pakistan's continued commitment to multilateral cooperation and to the protection and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) in a statement said Pakistan played a leading role during the BBNJ negotiations, serving as chair of the group of 77 and China during the two main sessions in 2022. Dar signs convention on establishment of International Organization for Mediation in China Representing the collective voice of developing countries Pakistan consistently advocated for fair benefit-sharing, capacity-building, and technology transfer, in line with the principle of the common heritage of humankind, it said. As per the United Nations, the BBNJ Agreement was adopted on June 19, 2023, by the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction convened under the auspices of the UN. The BBNJ Agreement becomes the third implementing agreement to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Under the overall objective of the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, for the present and in the long-term, through effective implementation of the relevant provisions of the convention and further international cooperation and coordination, the agreement 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 The agreement also addresses a number of 'cross-cutting issues', establishes a funding mechanism and sets up institutional arrangements, including a conference of the parties and various subsidiary bodies, a Clearing-House Mechanism and a secretariat.
The Citizen
15-06-2025
- General
- The Citizen
SA signs agreement to advance ocean protection
South Africa has signed an agreement aimed at protecting marine biodiversity in areas of the ocean that are not under the jurisdiction of any single nation. 'As part of our long standing commitment to strengthening the rule of law in ocean affairs, South Africa played an active role in negotiating the new international Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction,' the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George said on Monday. The BBNJ Agreement provides the first comprehensive global framework to protect biodiversity in the high seas and on the sea floor beyond national jurisdiction. Often referred to as the 'High Seas Treaty', it addresses critical gaps in the governance of two-thirds of the ocean that lie beyond national jurisdictions. It introduces tools such as area-based management, environmental impact assessments, capacity building and a mechanism for sharing marine genetic resources. The minister called for strengthened global co-operation, enhanced scientific collaboration and scaled-up financial and technical support to developing economy countries to enable the full and inclusive operationalisation of the legally binding BBNJ Agreement. He further encouraged all member states and regional organisations to sign and ratify the agreement without delay to ensure its timely entry into force and effective implementation, in the shared interest of safeguarding marine biodiversity for present and future generations. The minister made these remarks after the high-level signing ceremony, which took place during the third United Nations Oceans Conference (UNOC3) hosted in Nice, France. Co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, UNOC3 seeks to accelerate global action to conserve and sustainably use the ocean, in support of Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water. In line with South Africa's existing legal frameworks, the signing of the BBNJ is expected to bolster global ocean governance and help advance local efforts to build the economy, without compromising the ocean. – Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Wire
15-06-2025
- General
- The Wire
Two Serious Shipping Accidents Off Kerala Highlight the Need for a High Seas Treaty
Oceans are vital to life on earth, producing around 50% of our oxygen, regulating temperatures, storing carbon, and supporting billions through fisheries and ecosystems. Despite their importance, international waters – which account for nearly two-thirds of the ocean – remain largely unregulated. Pollution, resource extraction, and climate pressures have pushed these regions toward ecological crisis, demanding collective global action. Against this backdrop, the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference ( UNOC3 ), held from June 9-13, 2025 in Nice, France, emerged as a milestone in global marine governance. A global gathering with historic stakes Co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, UNOC3 brought together over 15,000 participants, including more than 60 heads of state, scientists, diplomats, and civil society leaders. The summit delivered over 800 voluntary commitments and culminated in the adoption of the Nice Ocean Action Plan , a two-part document comprising a political declaration and a broad range of pledges addressing ocean conservation, treaty ratification, ecosystem protection, and marine innovation. Notable commitments included the European Commission's pledge of €1 billion for marine protection, French Polynesia's creation of the largest marine protected area (MPA) to date, and Germany's €100 million programme to clean underwater munitions. Spain added five new MPAs, and Indonesia, in collaboration with the World Bank, launched an innovative 'Coral Bond' to fund reef restoration. These announcements stressed both the urgency and the ambition of the global response. Yet, the conference's centrepiece was the renewed focus on the High Seas Treaty, formally known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) agreement. The High Seas Treaty: History, purpose, and scope Adopted on June 19, 2023, after nearly two decades of negotiations, the BBNJ agreement is the first legally binding framework to govern marine biodiversity in international waters. It builds upon the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and targets four key areas : Marine genetic resources and benefit-sharing; Marine protected areas (MPAs) and area-based management tools; Environmental impact assessments (EIAs); and Capacity-building and technology transfer. The treaty aims to halt biodiversity loss, regulate resource exploitation, and create mechanisms for equitable access—especially critical for low-income nations often excluded from high seas research and commerce. The Nice conference and accelerated momentum The 2025 Ocean Conference provided a diplomatic breakthrough. Nineteen additional ratifications were announced during the event, pushing the total to 51 out of the 60 required for the treaty to enter into force. French president Emmanuel Macron projected that the treaty could become active by January 1, 2026. Once the threshold is crossed, a 120-day countdown begins. This will trigger the first 'Ocean COP,' where governance structures, enforcement mechanisms, and funding frameworks will be finalised. Crucially, countries that have not ratified by then will forfeit voting rights. The political declaration adopted in Nice, titled Our Ocean, Our Future: United for Urgent Action , reaffirmed global targets like the 30×30 goal – protecting 30% of marine and terrestrial ecosystems by 2030 – and highlighted support for key environmental agreements like the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Criticisms and holdouts: The US and others Despite the treaty's global backing, it has drawn criticism, most notably from the United States. Although the US signed the treaty in 2023 , it has not ratified it. The Senate has yet to approve it by the required two-thirds vote. Critics within the US, particularly under the Trump administration, have voiced concerns over sovereignty, regulatory overreach, and economic impacts on deep-sea mining and fishing industries. Trump's controversial executive order supporting seabed mining and deregulation, and the minimal US delegation at UNOC3, sparked backlash . French officials criticised this stance , echoing president Emmanuel Macron while stating, 'The abyss is not for sale,' contrasting France's scientific approach with what he termed as America's 'rush to Mars.' The US absence also raised concerns about leadership vacuums in ocean governance. By not joining, the US risks ceding influence in future treaty negotiations and implementation decisions. India: Commitment and delay India signed the BBNJ treaty in September 2024, affirming its maritime interests and environmental commitment. Union earth sciences minister Jitendra Singh , speaking at UNOC3, reiterated India's support for the treaty and its ongoing ratification process. However, ratification has stalled. As per reports , India must first amend domestic laws such as the Biological Diversity Act before parliament can approve the treaty. This delay reflects internal legislative priorities, but also hesitations over the treaty's benefit-sharing mechanism, which some officials see as underdeveloped. Given India's vast coastline, dependence on marine ecosystems, and growing maritime security agenda, this delay has raised questions. Critics argue that India's strategic and environmental interests demand faster action. Moreover, as a major player in global south alliances, India's active participation is vital for balancing geopolitical power in treaty implementation. Why the treaty matters more than ever Mounting environmental pressures make the High Seas Treaty especially urgent. According to the United Nations , oceans have taken in the majority of heat generated by greenhouse gas emissions, leading to widespread acidification and rising marine temperatures. Over 1,500 marine species are now considered at risk of extinction. Moreover, plastic pollution remains a massive threat, with an estimated 14 million metric tonnes entering the ocean each year – jeopardising food security, marine life, and coastal economies alike. Moreover, the race to exploit marine genetic resources for pharmaceuticals and biotechnology raises concerns over biopiracy. Without regulation, wealthier nations and corporations could monopolise discoveries just outside developing countries' EEZs. The BBNJ treaty mandates fair benefit-sharing and data disclosure for such research. The treaty also holds promise as a legal bulwark against deep-sea mining. Though not banning it outright, it calls for strict EIAs and international oversight, aligning with growing calls for a moratorium until further environmental studies are conducted. Critics argue that short-term corporate interests should not be allowed to risk irreparable harm to ecosystems that remain poorly understood. Implementation challenges Despite the treaty's historic significance, its implementation will be complex. Monitoring such vast international waters will demand advanced satellite systems, multinational naval cooperation, and legal enforcement mechanisms. Financially, ocean-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDG14) remain severely underfunded – currently receiving less than 0.01% of total SDG allocations. Experts estimate an annual need of roughly $175 billion to meet marine conservation targets. Beyond enforcement and financing, institutional structures like a governing COP, oversight panels, and a centralised data hub still need to be created. Finally, ensuring inclusive participation – especially for nations with fewer resources – will require dedicated investment in technology transfer and capacity-building programs. Moreover, commercial interests, especially in fishing and shipping, continue to resist new constraints. A 2024 report by InfluenceMap found that 29 of the 30 largest seafood companies oppose MPAs and lobby against stricter regulations. As marine scientist Enric Sala noted , 'Protection is not the problem – overfishing is. The worst enemy of the fishing industry is themselves.' Shipping disasters: An overlooked threat to ocean health While international treaties aim to secure long-term protections for marine biodiversity, recent events off the Indian coast indicate how fragile ocean ecosystems remain in the face of maritime accidents. These incidents, often sudden and severe, can undo years of conservation gains. The Kerala coast has witnessed two serious shipping accidents within just 15 days, raising alarm over navigational safety and preparedness. The first involved the Liberian-flagged MSC ELSA 3 , which sank off the coast before a full assessment of the environmental risks – including possible oil leaks – could be completed. Before authorities could contain the fallout, a second accident occurred when the Singapore-registered cargo vessel M.V. Wan Hai 503 caught fire approximately 88 nautical miles off Kozhikode. The back-to-back nature of these incidents has heightened fears of potential oil spills and longer-term threats to Kerala's sensitive marine zones. Though containment efforts are underway, environmentalists have expressed concern over gaps in spill response capacity, and the cumulative impact of such events on coastal fisheries and marine biodiversity. These episodes highlight a growing vulnerability in ocean governance : even as global frameworks like the BBNJ Treaty are being advanced, critical gaps remain in operational enforcement and maritime safety. For countries like India – bordering busy sea lanes –strengthening coastal surveillance, emergency response, and ecological risk assessments must go hand-in-hand with treaty ratification and international cooperation. Fragile hope for the planet At the closing of the Nice conference, UN Ocean Envoy Peter Thomson described the event as a pivotal step forward in ocean diplomacy. Yet he emphasised that real progress would depend not on promises, but on follow-through. If implemented with urgency and equity, the High Seas Treaty has the potential to restore oceanic balance, protect biodiversity, and support a fairer future for all nations. Whether it becomes a cornerstone of global environmental governance – or merely another missed opportunity – will depend entirely on the decisions made in the months ahead. K.M. Seethi is Director, Inter University Centre for Social Science Research and Extension (IUCSSRE), Mahatma Gandhi University (MGU), Kerala. He also served as ICSSR Senior Fellow, Senior Professor of International Relations and Dean of Social Sciences at MGU. The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
Time of India
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
UN Ocean Conference moves high seas treaty closer to global law as India pledges ratification and calls for ocean protection
Representative image (ANI) NEW DELHI: The UN Ocean Conference ended with the 'High Seas Treaty' moving closer to becoming a global law to safeguard life in international waters through long-term protection of marine biodiversity in the high seas. A growing international call for a precautionary pause on deep-sea mining was one of the highlights of the global meet, which concluded in Nice, France, on Friday. Supporting a robust 'Nice Ocean Action Plan', India, during the conference, urged the international community to finalise the 'Global Plastics Treaty' and invest in science-based solutions to reverse the decline in ocean health. New Delhi also promised to ratify the 'High Seas Treaty' soon and suggested a 10-point roadmap for the future, focusing on sustainable development and ocean governance. One of the core objectives of the five-day conference, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, was to help bring into force the landmark 'High Seas Treaty'—conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) agreement—adopted in 2023 following 20 years of negotiation. It aims to address the growing biodiversity crisis for ocean life outside the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cardiologists: Losing a Hanging Tummy Comes Down To This 1 Thing newdietdiscovery Learn More Undo The treaty will become law of the seas 120 days after the submission of the sixtieth instrument of ratification. So far, 50 members have already submitted their ratifications, while 15 others, including India and China, have committed to doing it soon. Nineteen out of 50 countries deposited their ratifications during the third UN Conference on the Ocean in Nice. Though the US actively participated in the process when the treaty was adopted in 2023, the country under President Donald Trump took a back seat in Nice. Union earth sciences minister Jitendra Singh, who represented India at the conference, informed the gathering that India was in the process of ratifying the treaty and urged the global community to accelerate the ratification of the BBNJ Agreement. The 10-point roadmap for the future suggested by Singh includes the expansion of marine protected areas; scaling up the blue economy through sustainable fisheries and maritime trade; reducing marine pollution through waste management and circular economy principles, and promoting offshore renewable energy. 'Calls to halt deep-sea mining are growing, with 37 countries now supporting a precautionary pause or outright ban—a hopeful sign of political will to protect fragile ecosystems," said Tom Pickerell, Global Director, Ocean Programme, WRI.
