The Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), which promotes the protection of the world's oceans and marine areas, has been ratified by 60 countries, so it will enter into force in early 2026.
This was reported by The European Sting.
The adoption of this agreement makes it possible to create large marine protected areas on the high seas. This decision will help achieve the goal of the Kunming-Montreal Global Framework Agreement to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030.
The treaty also provides for the assessment of the environmental impact of economic activities in international waters to ensure sustainable development and minimize damage to marine ecosystems.
The agreement also gives priority and targeted support to developing countries. They will receive assistance to implement the agreement through capacity building initiatives and marine technology transfer programs. This support for the implementation of the BBNJ will be funded from a variety of public and private sources.
An innovative benefit-sharing mechanism will also ensure equitable access to marine genetic resources. The coalition currently includes more than 40 countries committed to protecting the world's oceans.
The agreement will officially enter into force 120 days after the 60th ratification. It will apply to all parties that have already ratified the agreement. As part of this effort, the EU has committed €40 million through its Global Ocean Program and is calling on members of the High Ambition Coalition to make a similar contribution to ensure the protection of marine ecosystems.
Reasons for approving the agreement
This BBNJ agreement is the third in a series following the 1994 and 1995 agreements on seabed mining and fish stocks. It updates the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to reflect 30 years of changes that support Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Under Water) under the 2030 Agenda.
According to experts, marine ecosystems contain resources and biodiversity and provide invaluable environmental, economic, social, cultural, scientific and food benefits to humanity. However, they are under increasing pressure from pollution (including noise), overexploitation, climate change and biodiversity loss, and such ecosystems require urgent protection.
As EcoPolitics wrote in August, heat waves have intensified in the world's oceans, causing the water surface temperature to rise sharply, which can lead to critical consequences.
Scientists note that in 2023, the earth experienced a surge in sea heat waves in the oceans. They set new records for geographical expansion and duration, many of them lasted for more than a year, causing the ocean surface to suffer 96% damage.
