The United Nations Headquarters, the Preparatory Commission opened its first session to protect Marine in its new international agreement under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
This agreement, known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement), aims to protect marine life in the high seas – areas of the ocean that lie beyond any country’s control.
The session will run until April 25, 2025. It focuses on getting everything ready before the agreement officially comes into effect. The agreement was adopted in 2023 to help prevent a major biodiversity crisis in the ocean. It brings new rules and protections for marine animals and plants living in international waters, where little control currently exists.
At the moment, about two-thirds of the ocean lies outside national borders. These parts of the sea are rich in wildlife, from tiny plankton to huge whales. They also hold valuable minerals and resources, which are attracting growing interest from countries and businesses. However, because there are few rules in these areas, problems like overfishing, pollution, and damage to underwater ecosystems have become serious concerns. Some experts call it the “Wild West” of the ocean.
So far, 112 countries have signed the BBNJ Agreement, and 21 have officially ratified it. The agreement will come into force once 60 countries have ratified or formally joined it. After that, the UN Secretary-General will call the first official meeting of the countries involved.
Work is now being done to set up the systems and rules that will help countries follow the agreement. This includes how to manage marine protected areas, share scientific knowledge, and ensure fair use of marine resources.
For years, environmentalists and scientists have warned that high seas biodiversity was at risk due to lack of global cooperation. This agreement is seen as a major step forward in creating fair, strong protection for life in the world’s international waters.
