marine biodiversity treaty
New York, August 25, 2025, 03:51 AM PKT – Pakistan Pushes for Equitable Marine Biodiversity Treaty at UN
Pakistan has intensified its advocacy for the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, emphasizing equitable resource sharing during UN talks on August 24, 2025.
Building on its July 22 signing of the treaty, Pakistan, as Group of 77 chair, urged stronger commitments to protect global oceans, with a focus on developing nations’ interests.
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, addressing a UN session, stressed fair access to marine genetic resources and technology transfers, per a Foreign Office statement.
“The ocean’s wealth is humanity’s shared heritage,” Dar told NEN, citing Pakistan’s role in negotiations.
The BBNJ Agreement, under UNCLOS, promotes marine protected areas and environmental impact assessments to combat overfishing and pollution, critical for coastal states like Pakistan.
The treaty’s progress follows Pakistan’s designation of Churna and Astola Islands as marine protected areas.
Experts from OIC states, attending virtually, praised Pakistan’s push for capacity-building to support small-scale fisheries.
The next UN session in 2026 aims to finalize implementation protocols.
Stay updated at nenagency
