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BBNJ High Seas Treaty: Why India Has Not Yet Ratified

12 June 20251 min read
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRSBBNJ High SeasTreaty: Why IndiaHas Not YetRatified12 June 2025safalsetu.com

Why in the news

India was not expected to ratify the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) agreement during the UN Ocean Conference in Nice (June 2025), though it signed in September 2024.

Key facts

  • Reason for delay: existing laws, mainly the Biological Diversity Act, must be amended before formal ratification.
  • Count: 49 ratifications by June 10, 2025; 60 needed to enter into force.

About the BBNJ Agreement

  • Covers conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in the high seas, beyond national EEZs.
  • Dispute: benefit-sharing from marine genetic resources.

India’s points at the conference

  • Samudrayaan: manned dive to 6,000 metres, trial in 2026.
  • Single-use plastics ban; $80+ billion Blue Economy investments; SAHAV portal.

Exam angle

  • Other name: High Seas Treaty. Threshold: 60.

Test yourself

1. How many ratifications does the BBNJ Agreement need to come into legal force, per these notes?

It enters into force once 60 countries ratify.

2. Which Indian law needs amendment before India can ratify the BBNJ Agreement?

Amendments to the Biological Diversity Act are required first.

3. BBNJ governs marine biodiversity in which area?

It covers the high seas lying beyond national EEZs.

This topic is part of Daily Current Affairs 12 June 2025 (22 topics).

All topics of the dayDay quizJune 2025

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