Pakistan Signs UN Treaty to Safeguard Marine Biodiversity in International Waters
Pakistan has officially signed the United Nations’ “High Seas Treaty,” a historic global agreement aimed at protecting marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. The treaty was signed by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar at a ceremony held at the UN Headquarters in New York.
The treaty focuses on safeguarding marine life in international waters, which cover nearly two-thirds of the planet’s oceans. These vast areas have long remained outside the direct jurisdiction of any single country, leading to concerns about overfishing, deep-sea mining, and unregulated scientific activity.
The High Seas Treaty introduces comprehensive rules to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity. Key features include protocols for environmental impact assessments before any large-scale industrial activity in international waters, guidelines for the fair sharing of marine genetic resources, and frameworks for joint scientific research.
Pakistan served as the voice of the Global South
Pakistan’s Foreign Office highlighted that the country played an active role during the negotiations, especially as Chair of the G77 a coalition representing the interests of developing countries. Pakistan served as the voice of the Global South, pushing for fair and inclusive regulations that consider the environmental and economic concerns of less developed nations.
By becoming a signatory, Pakistan strengthens its international environmental standing. The agreement reflects the country’s ongoing commitment to ocean sustainability, marine protection, and multilateral cooperation.
Pakistan joins the global movement to preserve ocean ecosystems
Environmental experts say the treaty will help reduce ecological harm from activities such as deep-sea mining and overfishing, while promoting collaborative ocean science. With this step, Pakistan joins the global movement to preserve ocean ecosystems for future generations.
This decision adds to Pakistan’s growing portfolio of international environmental commitments and enhances its leadership role in global climate governance. It also aligns with the country’s broader climate and sustainability goals under global frameworks like the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
