What was decided at the UN Oceans Conference? Pg10

Context:

• The 3rd United Nations Oceans Conference (UNOC) concluded in France, marking major progress towards the implementation of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) agreement. 

Key Highlights:

• 56 countries have ratified the BBNJ Treaty out of the 60 required for it to become legally binding.
• The BBNJ deals with conservation and equitable resource sharing in international waters or “high seas”.
• India has not ratified the agreement yet but is “in the process.”
• Once ratified by 60 countries, the treaty will enter into force after 120 days.
• The first BBNJ Conference of Parties (COP) is expected to be hosted in late 2026.
• Major voluntary commitments were announced by countries and blocs, such as the EU, France, Germany, Canada, Spain, and New Zealand, toward marine protection and governance.

Detailed Insights:

1. What is the UNOC about?

• The UNOC focuses on accelerating global action to protect oceans, especially beyond national jurisdictions.
• It aligns with the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) target to conserve 30% of marine and coastal areas by 2030.
• Operationalizing this goal requires the ratification and implementation of the BBNJ Treaty. 

2. Why is the BBNJ Treaty important?

• High seas constitute ~64% of the global ocean surface and ~47% of Earth's surface but remain largely unregulated.
• It is a legal framework for conservation, sustainable use, and equitable benefit-sharing in marine areas beyond national jurisdiction.
• It addresses overfishing and unregulated marine resource extraction.
• It also looks into Deep-sea mining and exploitation of marine genetic resources (MGRs).
• It reflects the need for inclusive governance of global commons.

3. Challenges to the BBNJ Agreement:

• Benefit-sharing of marine resources remains contentious.
• Bioprospecting in the high seas (extracting resources for pharmaceutical or industrial use) raises equity concerns.
• Environmental groups argue the treaty doesn’t go far enough to ban extraction activities.
• Legal jurisdiction and enforcement mechanisms remain underdeveloped.
• Political reluctance from major economies, including the U.S., limits global momentum.

4. Key Outcomes from UNOC 2025:

• European Commission: €1 billion for ocean conservation, sustainable fishing, and marine science.
• French Polynesia: Will create the world’s largest Marine Protected Area, covering 5 million sq. km.
• New Zealand: $52 million to support ocean governance in Pacific Island countries.
• Germany: €100 million programme to remove WWII-era munitions from the Baltic and North Seas.
• Panama & Canada-led coalition: Launched the High Ambition Coalition for a Quiet Ocean to tackle noise pollution.
• Canada: $9 million for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) resilience via nature-based solutions.
• UN agencies: Launched One Ocean Finance, to mobilise private capital for ocean-related sustainability.

Key Concepts Involved:

• High Seas: Oceanic areas beyond the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) of nations; part of the “global commons”.
• Marine Genetic Resources (MGRs): Genetic material from marine organisms with potential commercial value.
• Blue Economy: Sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and ecosystem health.
• Ocean Noise Pollution: Underwater noise caused by ships, sonar, and drilling, affecting marine biodiversity.