Ocean pact will help protect marine ecosystems

Editor's note: China became one of the first signatories and contracting states to the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction when it deposited with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres an instrument of ratification on Dec 15 last year. People's Daily Overseas Edition spoke to Qian Feng, a researcher at Tsinghua University's National Strategy Institute and Hu Zhiyong, a researcher at the Institute of International Relations of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, on China's participation in global marine biological diversity governance. Below are excerpts of the interview. The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.

The BBNJ Agreement, based on the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, seeks to conserve and sustainably use marine biological diversity. It focuses on deep-sea genetic resources and area-based management tools, including marine protected areas, environmental impact assessments and capacity building.

The agreement marks a new stage in global ocean governance and carries far-reaching significance for improving governance mechanisms for marine biological diversity protection and for safeguarding the international maritime order.

It fills a long-standing legal gap in the management of sea areas beyond national jurisdiction. For the first time, an international framework has been established to cover key areas of activity, providing clearer rules and procedures and enhancing the coherence and effectiveness of global ocean governance.

The agreement balances the interests of different countries by clarifying rights and obligations, reducing the risk of disputes driven by the competition for resources and ensuring that marine activities proceed in an orderly manner. It places equal emphasis on conservation and sustainable use, encouraging a shift from resource-centered exploitation to ecosystem-based management, which will help preserve the marine ecological balance and leave sustainably usable ocean resources for future generations.

The agreement also creates a platform for international cooperation, promoting collaboration in capacity building and other fields, strengthening joint responses to shared marine challenges, and coordinating diverse national interests through binding provisions. This supports a more inclusive and cooperative model of ocean governance based on consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits.

For a long time, international marine legislation has lagged behind the rapid expansion of human ocean activities. The high seas and the international seabed areas are under mounting pressure from climate change, pollution, overfishing and biodiversity loss. But existing legal frameworks have offered insufficient protection, making it difficult for countries to form strong governance synergy.

Besides, some developed countries hold technological advantages and seek broader resource access, making it hard to reach a consensus. Against this backdrop, the international community has attached growing importance to advancing the rule of law for marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction.

During the negotiations on the agreement, China acted as an active coordinator, a firm promoter of progress, a defender of developing countries' legitimate interests and a practitioner of multilateralism. Guided by the principles of fairness, justice and sustainability, China worked to bridge differences among parties and put forward practical, science-based and workable proposals drawn from its own experience and research, helping build consensus and remove obstacles to the agreement’s conclusion.

Following its accession to the agreement, China will work with all parties to support its full, accurate and effective implementation. It will continue to leverage its technical strengths to provide assistance and training to Global South countries, helping enhance their capabilities in marine monitoring and law enforcement.

It will deepen scientific cooperation with international partners on issues such as marine pollution control, promote joint research initiatives in key areas covered by the agreement, and strengthen the joint training and exchange of marine science professionals. China also supports the establishment of implementation dialogue platforms and regular experience-sharing mechanisms to coordinate actions and advance cooperation in areas such as deep-sea genetic resources and marine protected areas, turning agreed rules into concrete conservation results.

Global ocean governance faces complex challenges that no country can tackle alone. The BBNJ Agreement will further promote international scientific cooperation, improve understanding of deep-sea biodiversity, and support the orderly development and use of marine genetic resources. It will contribute practical and sustainable solutions for the protection and utilization of the oceans, advancing the common well-being of humanity.