Islamabad, July 22: Pakistan has signed a global agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea aimed at protecting marine biodiversity in international waters — areas beyond any single country’s jurisdiction.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar signed the agreement, known as the “Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ),” at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, the Foreign Office said on Tuesday.
The treaty sets a legal framework for managing and conserving ocean life in areas that lie outside national boundaries. It emphasizes long-term protection and sustainable use of marine resources through international cooperation.
Pakistan played a key role in the negotiations, serving as Chair of the Group of 77 and China during two major sessions in 2022. Representing the interests of developing nations, Pakistan consistently advocated for fair sharing of marine benefits, support for capacity-building, and access to marine technology — in line with the idea that the oceans are a common heritage of humankind.
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The agreement focuses on four main areas: fair and equitable sharing of marine genetic resources, establishment of marine protected areas, environmental impact assessments, and technology transfer and training for developing countries.
It also includes provisions on funding, the formation of institutional bodies such as a Conference of the Parties, and the creation of a Clearing-House Mechanism and a secretariat to oversee implementation.
According to the Foreign Office, Pakistan’s signing of the agreement reaffirms its commitment to multilateral cooperation and the protection of marine biodiversity beyond national borders.
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