Pakistan Signs UN Convention Agreement on Marine Biodiversity

Pakistan has formalized its commitment to global maritime conservation by signing an agreement under the UN Convention. This agreement establishes a legal structure for all maritime activities, with a focus on preserving marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar officially signed the “Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement)” at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, as stated by the Foreign Office on Tuesday.

Pakistan was instrumental during the BBNJ negotiations, notably serving as the Chair of the Group of 77 and China during the two primary sessions held in 2022.

The Foreign Office noted that, representing the combined interests of developing nations, Pakistan consistently pushed for equitable benefit-sharing, infrastructural development, and technological dissemination, aligning with the shared heritage principle of humankind.

The execution of the BBNJ Agreement highlights Pakistan’s ongoing dedication to international collaboration and the safeguarding and responsible utilization of marine biodiversity in regions exceeding national boundaries.

Focused on the conservation and sustainable application of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, both now and in the future, through the efficient application of convention provisions and enhanced international cooperation, the agreement tackles four major subjects:

  • Marine genetic resources, including questions on the sharing of benefits
  • Area-based management tools, including marine protected areas
  • Environmental impact assessments
  • Capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology

Additionally, the agreement tackles several “cross-cutting issues,” creates a funding mechanism, and establishes institutional frameworks. These include a Conference of the Parties, subsidiary bodies, a Clearing-House Mechanism, and a secretariat.