Minister for External Affairs S Jaishankar said here on Thursday the fifth United Nations(UN) intergovernmental conference on legally binding instrument on sustainable use of marine biological diversity under the global body’s convention on law of the sea has concluded its negotiations.
Giving this information in the Rajya Sabha while replying to a question, he said the primary intent of the agreement is conservation and sustainable use of the marine biological diversity occurring in the high seas. There have been growing concerns by many countries over China’s illegal fishing in the high seas.
The new instrument has legal provisions to significantly enhance the conservation and sustainable use of the high seas and other areas beyond national jurisdiction. The formal adoption of the agreement would be considered at the Intergovernmental Conference in June, Jaishankar said, adding it will enter into force 120 days after the 60th instrument of ratification is received.
“The 5th UN Intergovernmental Conference on the international legally binding instrument on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity under the UN Convention on Law of the Sea has concluded the negotiations on March 4,” Jaishankar said.