Nepal being under the lap of beautiful Himalayas is equally vulnerable to climatic and ecological imbalances. The connection of the huge oceans begins from the Himalayas hence there is a need for collective effort from all the stakeholders to show commitment towards marine ecosystems. There are several landmark agreements in favor of marine lives so does the United Nations agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ).
The BBNJ is a landmark international agreement in the quest to address pressing issues related to the conservation of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction and regions covering more than 60% of the world’s oceans. The high seas are an essential part of our planet’s ecosystem. The high seas are something in common that humanity is supposed to share as a common heritage. However, this large surface area is threatened by overfishing, pollution, climate change, and the unregulated exploitation of marine resources.
The High Seas Treaty aims to address these challenges through a legal framework to conserve and use marine biodiversity sustainably in international waters. Nepal signed the BBNJ agreement on September 20, 2023. Nepal is the first Landlocked Developing Country to sign this agreement.
Many wondered why the High Seas Treaty would be of interest to a landlocked nation like Nepal. One might question whether it aligns with our national priorities and international commitment. The answer lies in how ecosystems are connected across boundaries and how responsibility towards the planet has also been made common. Freedom of transit and access to high seas is of the highest importance for Nepal as a land-locked country, and Nepal is still deprived of rejoicing in the benefits of the blue economies. The health of the high seas directly influences the health of our Himalayan ecosystems, as warming oceans contribute to glacial melt and erratic weather patterns. The emphasis on the equitable sharing of marine genetic resources in this treaty echoes Nepal’s long advocacy for equity and fairness in global governance.
This treaty also reiterates the principles of UNCLOS: freedom of transit and access to the high seas, besides the equitable sharing of benefits from marine resources. Nepal needs to voice the concerns of landlocked and developing nations during the implementation of this treaty. These partnerships with ocean research and protection institutions can nurture our capacities to understand the linkages between the health of the ocean and mountain ecosystems. The implementation of the High Seas Treaty will be full of challenges. All the developed and developing countries should work together in these endeavors.
The High Seas Treaty is not an ocean issue but about the future of our planet. Nepal, although landlocked, has much to contribute toward this global effort. Commitment toward environmental conservation, sustainable development, and social equity is the driving factor behind our endorsement of the treaty. Nepal’s active participation in the High Seas Treaty underscores a simple yet profound truth: protecting the planet is a shared responsibility, and every nation, regardless of size or geography, has a role to play in shaping a sustainable future.
Let us work towards making the high seas continue to be a source of life, sustenance, and wonder for generations to come.
(Address on High Seas Treaty Sensitization and Capacity Building Workshop organized by Institute of Foreign Affairs, 22 November 2024).