New Delhi: The high seas treaty, a global pact for conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, should come into effect at the earliest, say both India and France.
During a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also offered India’s support to France for the United Nations Oceans Conference (UNOC-3), to be held in Nice in June.
UNOC-3 is an important milestone in international efforts for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans, they said.
“France and India recognise the importance of the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity Beyond Areas of Natural Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) as one of the pillars of inclusive and holistic international ocean governance,” according to a joint statement.
Having already signed the treaty, both nations said it should come into effect at the earliest.
The “high seas”, also called “international waters”, refer to areas beyond any country’s national waters, exclusive economic zone, and jurisdiction. No single country controls these waters, and all nations have the right to use them for navigation, fishing, research and other activities without interference.
Although the high seas cover more than 60 per cent of the ocean, only 1.2 per cent is currently protected.
Countries adopted the high seas treaty or BBNJ Agreement in June 2023 to safeguard marine life. The treaty opened for signatures on September 20, 2023, allowing countries to express their intent to ratify and formally accept the agreement.
The treaty will take effect once 60 countries sign and ratify it.
