South and Southeast Asian Leaders to Convene in Chennai on Implementation of High Seas Treaty

South and Southeast Asian leaders and marine scientists will gather at Trident Hotel, Chennai from Tuesday (August 27) for a two-day landmark event focused on the implementation of the United Nations' Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, also called High Seas Treaty. Often referred to as the ‘High Seas’, areas beyond national jurisdiction are the global common oceans open to all for internationally lawful purposes such as navigation, overflight, laying submarine cables and pipelines, etc. This two-day workshop aims to develop strategies for conserving and managing the high seas in South and Southeast Asia amid challenges posed by climate change.

The BBNJ Agreement, adopted in March 2023 under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), marks a crucial milestone in preserving marine biodiversity and combating climate change.  The decision of signing the treaty by India was approved by the Union Cabinet on July 2.

The workshop, organised by the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO) in collaboration with the High Seas Alliance (HSA) and RISE UP, will bring together senior government officials and policymakers from countries including Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Timor-Leste.

On the importance of the event, Director of BOBP-IGO Dr. P Krishnan said that the crucial meet is aimed at deepening regional understanding of the BBNJ Agreement and strategising its implementation. He highlighted the crucial role of South and Southeast Asian nations in leading these efforts to protect the global ocean.

Apart from the discussions on the Agreement, the workshop will also focus on key areas such as environmental impact assessment, marine genetic resources, resource sharing between regional countries, capacity building, and the transfer of marine technology.

In addition, a regional dialogue on marine mammals and turtles will be held on the sidelines of the event. This dialogue takes on particular significance in the wake of the United States' ban on the export of wild-caught shrimp from India due to concerns related to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (USA).

The workshop would come up with a set of recommendations for the effective implementation of the BBNJ Agreement in the region, contributing to the global effort to safeguard marine biodiversity and address the challenges posed by climate change, Dr P Krishnan said.