India unlikely to ratify ‘High Seas Treaty’ at U.N. Ocean Conference

Context:

• Treaty Name: Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) — a.k.a. High Seas Treaty

• Event: U.N. Ocean Conference 2025, Nice, France

• India’s Status: Signed in Sept 2024, but ratification pending

India’s Position:

• Unlikely to ratify during the current conference

• Reason: Requires amendments to the Biological Diversity Act and possibly other legal frameworks

• Next Steps: Could be taken up after Monsoon Session (July–August 2025) in Parliament

Treaty Status (as of June 10, 2025):

• 49 countries ratified

• Needs 60 ratifications to enter into legal force

🌐 Key Features of the BBNJ/High Seas Treaty:

• Governs marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdictions (ABNJ), i.e., high seas

• Seeks equitable sharing of marine genetic resources and benefits

• Contentious issue: Mechanism for resource sharing still under debate

• Promotes marine conservation and sustainable use

India’s Ocean Commitments at the Conference:

• Samudrayaan Mission:

  • India’s manned submersible to explore up to 6,000 m ocean depth

  • Trial by 2026

• Plastic Pollution:

  • Nationwide ban on single-use plastics

  • Push for a legally binding Global Plastics Treaty

• Blue Economy:

  • Highlighted $80 billion+ investments in sustainable marine sectors

• Digital Ocean Portal:

  • Launched ‘SAHAV’ portal for integrated ocean data access

📝 UPSC Relevance:

Prelims:

• High Seas Treaty (BBNJ), SAHAV portal, Samudrayaan mission, Blue Economy

Mains – GS III (Environment & Biodiversity):

• India’s role in global marine conservation

• Legal and institutional challenges in ratifying international treaties

• Balance between economic development and environmental sustainability