IMO has welcomed the landmark agreement on a new oceans treaty to protect marine biodiversity on the high seas earlier this month. The new legally binding international instrument on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction – known as BBNJ is crucial in building a legally binding regime for regulating human intervention and combating climate change to protect marine life and health of the high seas. The treaty also creates an institutional set-up for effective implementation: a conference of the parties for adopting decisions and conducting timely evaluation; a multidisciplinary science and technology body of experts performing an advisory function; and a secretariat to provide administrative assistance and ensure coordination among various subsidiary and international bodies. It also establishes a clearing-house mechanism, providing open access to all information regarding activities, requests and knowledge generated under its purview.
