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Gist of Editorials, 26 March

BBNJ Treaty

General Studies-II (Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements)

Recently, the fourth meeting of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC-4) was held in New York to conclude a draft of the instrument on the conservation and sustainable use of marine Biological Diversity in areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ).

The IGC-4 is convened under the ‘United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea’ (UNCLOS). 

“Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction” (BBNJ):

BBNJ encompasses the high seas, beyond the exclusive economic zones or national waters of countries.

  • According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), these areas account for “almost half of the Earth’s surface”.
  • These areas are hardly regulated and also least understood or explored for its biodiversity – only 1% of these areas are under protection.

BBNJ Treaty:

The “Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction” (BBNJ Treaty)”is also known as the “Treaty of the High Seas”.

  • It is an international agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, currently under negotiation at the United Nations.
  • This new instrument is being developed within the framework of the United Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the main international agreement governing human activities at sea.

The UNCLOS:

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), 1982 is an international agreement that establishes the legal framework for marine and maritime activities. 

  • It is also known as Law of the Sea.
  • It is the only international convention which stipulates a framework for state jurisdiction in maritime spaces. 
  • It provides a different legal status to different maritime zones.
  • It provides the backbone for offshore governance by coastal states and those navigating the oceans.

UNCLOS divides marine areas into five main zones namely- 

  1. Internal Waters,
  2. Territorial Sea, 
  3. Contiguous Zone, 
  4. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and 
  5. The High Seas.

Source: Down to Earth / Indian Express

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