International Agreements

Choose the Correct Answer

Correct Answer : Option c

Explanation
In September 2025, the High Seas Treaty reached and surpassed the milestone of 60 state ratifications required for its entry into force.

Statement 1 is correct: The BBNJ Agreement is formally known as the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction.
It is the third implementing agreement under UNCLOS, following:

• The 1994 Agreement relating to Part XI (governing mineral resource exploration in the international seabed area).
• The 1995 UN Fish Stocks Agreement (on conservation of straddling and highly migratory fish stocks).

Statement 2 is not correct: The BBNJ Agreement explicitly prohibits any country from claiming or exercising sovereign rights over marine genetic resources (MGRs) in areas beyond national jurisdiction. Instead, it establishes a framework for the fair and equitable sharing of benefits derived from these resources, ensuring that all nations, particularly developing countries have access to and can benefit from them. This principle forms the core of the treaty, aiming to prevent biopiracy and promote equity and fairness in the governance of the high seas.

Statement 3 is correct: India signed the BBNJ Agreement in September 2024 during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, with the signing carried out by the External Affairs Minister. Through this participation, India seeks to enhance its strategic presence in international waters, support the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity, and strengthen its role in global ocean governance, reflecting its commitment to equitable and sustainable management of the high seas.