On World Oceans Day (June 08), director general of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) urged countries worldwide “to strive for a fully functional High Seas Biodiversity Treaty”
- Action theme for World Oceans Day 2024 was ‘Catalyzing Action for Our Ocean & Climate’.
What is High Seas?
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About High Seas Biodiversity Treaty
- It is an agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on conservation and sustainable use of marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ).
- Formally adopted by Intergovernmental Conference on Marine BBNJ in 2023 and will become international law only when it is signed and ratified by at least 60 countries.
- Till date, Only 7 countries have ratified the treaty.
- India has neither signed nor ratified the treaty.
Key provisions of the Treaty
- Contains provisions based on polluter-pays principle as well as mechanisms for resolution of disputes related to pollutions in high seas.
- Underlines importance of capacity building and transfer of marine technology and increasing collaboration among regional seas organizations and regional fisheries management organizations.
- Recognize rights and traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples and local communities, freedom of scientific research, and need for fair and equitable sharing of benefits.