Pakistan has officially signed a landmark United Nations agreement aimed at conserving marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar signed the BBNJ Agreement (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction) at the UN Headquarters in New York, according to the Foreign Office.
Pakistan played a prominent role during negotiations, chairing the Group of 77 and China in 2022 and advocating for fair benefit-sharing, capacity building, and technology transfer based on the principle of the common heritage of humankind.
The agreement focuses on four key areas:
Marine genetic resources and equitable benefit sharing
Area-based management tools, including marine protected areas
Environmental impact assessments
Capacity-building and marine technology transfer
The pact also establishes funding mechanisms, institutional frameworks, and a Conference of the Parties to oversee its implementation.
This move highlights Pakistan’s ongoing commitment to multilateral cooperation and the sustainable use of marine resources.
