ThinkOcean Society Partners with Sustainable Ocean Alliance India for a Special Session on the High Seas Treaty at LCOY India 2024
In the face of escalating climate challenges, the ocean remains our greatest ally. However, this vast and vital resource, covering over 70% of the Earth's surface, is under severe threat from overfishing, pollution, and climate change. To address these issues, ThinkOcean Society is proud to partner with Sustainable Ocean Alliance India to host a 1.5-hour session on the High Seas Treaty, also known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, at the Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) India 2024.
Event Details
- Topic: High Seas Treaty (BBNJ Agreement)
- Date: August 15, 2024
- Time: 1.5 hours
- Venue: LCOY India, Mysuru
- Facilitator: Ajay Sawant, President of ThinkOcean Society and Ambassador of High Seas Alliance
Ishwarya Kandaswamy, SOA India representative (co-facilitator)
The High Seas Treaty (BBNJ Agreement)
The High Seas Treaty, drafted under the United Nations, represents a significant step towards protecting the biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction. This agreement is crucial for safeguarding the high seas' biodiversity, including the seafloor and water columns, by establishing marine protected areas, implementing a stronger regime of environmental impact assessments, ensuring equitable sharing and access to benefits from marine genetic resources, and supporting capacity building and technology transfer.
Since the High Seas Treaty was formally adopted by UN member states on June 19, 2023, 90 countries have signed it, thereby expressing a commitment to ratify. However, only seven UN Member States have completed the ratification process. 53 more countries must swiftly ratify the Treaty so that we can transform words into protections on the water. The clock is ticking! It's time to accelerate the #RaceForRatification.
The High Seas Treaty represents a historic step forward for humankind - it’s a momentous opportunity to protect life in the global ocean beyond our national borders. The High Seas covers nearly half our planet and is one of the most biodiverse - yet the least protected - areas on Earth; just 1.5% is fully protected.
By ensuring that at least 60 countries ratify the Treaty by UNOC3, we can accelerate effective actions to safeguard our international waters, preserve biodiversity beyond borders, and combat climate change. The swift ratification of the Treaty is essential to secure a healthy ocean and safeguard biodiversity for current and future generations.
Why We Are Hosting This Event
At ThinkOcean Society, we believe that youth have a pivotal role to play in advocating for ocean conservation. Our generation will inherit the consequences of today’s decisions, and it is imperative that we have a voice in these crucial matters. By hosting this event at LCOY India 2024, we aim to raise awareness about the High Seas Treaty, discuss its implications, and explore actionable steps to advocate for its ratification and implementation.
This session will be facilitated by Ajay Sawant, President of ThinkOcean Society and founder of Generation Artivism and Ambassador of High Seas for Asia, and Ishwarya K, Sustainable Ocean Alliance Hub India representative
For partnerships and queries, please write to us at india-campaigns@thinkoceansociety.org
About High Seas Alliance:
The High Seas Alliance is a powerful coalition of organisations that works to unify the voices of civil society to achieve better protection and governance of the high seas.
Founded in 2011, the High Seas Alliance combines expertise in law, research and campaigning to work with States at the United Nations (UN) to develop an instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea which will provide protection for biodiversity on the high seas. The High Seas Alliance works through a variety of methods, from the production of key science and reports, to official interventions at UN forums, to small scale meetings of sympathetic states. Through the combined experience of the team and the member organisations, the High Seas Alliance represents a unique and incredibly influential body in international negotiations.
