Nice (France): India is in the final stages of ratifying the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, also known as the High Seas Treaty, Union Minister of State for Earth Sciences Dr. Jitendra Singh announced on Tuesday at the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3).
“India has signed the BBNJ Agreement and is currently in the process of ratification. This step underscores our commitment to conserving marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction,” the minister said during his address in Nice, France.
The BBNJ Agreement is a legally binding international treaty aimed at ensuring the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas of the ocean that lie beyond national borders.
India’s Six-Pronged Strategy for Ocean Conservation
At the conference, India proposed six key initiatives to advance ocean health and resilience:
- Boosting marine research to enable science-driven policy and governance.
- Expanding marine protected areas and backing the BBNJ treaty.
- Combating marine pollution through better wastewater management and circular economy principles.
- Enhancing coastal resilience by integrating ocean-based climate solutions.
- Promoting clean ocean energy and respecting indigenous knowledge systems.
- Empowering coastal communities through inclusive and equitable governance frameworks.
“With a coastline of 11,098 km, over 1,300 islands, and more than 2.1 million sq km of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), India boasts a rich maritime heritage. The ocean is our lifeline,” Singh noted.
India’s Ongoing Initiatives
India has already launched several ambitious programs, including:
- Deep Ocean Mission: To map biodiversity, promote marine spatial planning, and develop ocean exploration technology.
- Blue Economy Pilot Projects
- ‘Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar’ Campaign: A nationwide coastal awareness drive to reduce marine plastic pollution and inspire citizens to become marine conservation advocates.
India also pledged support for the Nice Ocean Action Plan, which focuses on innovative financing, partnerships, and actionable results to meet Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG-14) — conservation and sustainable use of the oceans.
Global Perspective: A Turning Point for Ocean Governance
French officials described UNOC3 as the most ambitious environmental conference since the 2015 Paris Climate Conference, calling it a “historic opportunity” to cement a binding framework for global ocean protection.
“The high seas treaty cannot be a failure,” officials warned, adding that while many countries have yet to ratify the BBNJ agreement, 60 ratifications by the end of 2025 could bring the treaty into force.
Space Tech for Oceans: India’s Role
India also joined the Space for Ocean Alliance (S4O), hosted by France’s CNES on the sidelines of UNOC3. The initiative aims to leverage satellite data for ocean monitoring and protection. India, through ISRO, is expected to play a pivotal role, especially in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
“India is ready to collaborate with all stakeholders — governments, civil society, the private sector, and indigenous communities — to build a sustainable, resilient, and equitable ocean future,” Singh concluded.