Indicating strong commitment to marine conservation and multilateralism, Pakistan today signed the historic Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 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.
The BBNJ Agreement, often referred to as the “High Seas Treaty,” is designed to safeguard marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction — roughly two-thirds of the world’s oceans. The agreement aims to promote the sustainable use of marine genetic resources, ensure fair benefit-sharing, enhance capacity-building, and facilitate the transfer of marine technology among nations.
Deputy Prime Minister/ Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar signed the agreement on behalf of the Government of Pakistan. The move underscores Pakistan’s enduring commitment to multilateral diplomacy, ocean governance, and environmental protection on a global scale.
Pakistan played a important role during the BBNJ negotiations, serving as Chair of the Group of 77 and China during the two main sessions in 2022. Throughout the negotiations, Pakistan advocated for equitable access to marine genetic resources, capacity development for the Global South, and technology transfer — principles firmly rooted in the idea of the “common heritage of humankind.”
In a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Government of Pakistan reaffirmed that the signing of the BBNJ Agreement reflects the country’s “continued commitment to multilateral cooperation and to the protection and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.”
The agreement is widely seen as a key pillar of global efforts to combat the degradation of marine ecosystems and promote ocean sustainability. Its successful implementation will be essential in achieving several UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 14: Life Below Water.
With the signing of the BBNJ Agreement, Pakistan joins the international community in laying the foundation for a more equitable, science-based, and sustainable future for the world’s oceans.
