Pakistan has officially joined a global United Nations agreement to protect marine biodiversity in international waters. The Foreign Office confirmed that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar signed the treaty in New York on Monday. The deal, called the BBNJ Agreement, aims to ensure the sustainable use of marine life in areas outside national borders. It falls under the larger UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos), which governs how countries use and protect ocean resources.
This move reflects Pakistan’s growing commitment to global environmental cooperation. The Foreign Office said that Pakistan played a leading role during the treaty’s negotiations. As chair of the Group of 77 and China, Pakistan represented the interests of developing countries.
The country pushed for fair benefit-sharing, marine technology transfer, and capacity-building—principles tied to the idea that the ocean’s wealth is a common heritage of humanity.
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Pakistan Signs Agreement under UNCLOS on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement).
⬇️https://t.co/LLGY8ZUJ77 pic.twitter.com/MdaIcUdnsx
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 22, 2025
The agreement addresses four main areas. First, it ensures that marine genetic resources are shared fairly. Second, it supports creating marine protected areas and other conservation zones. Third, it requires environmental impact assessments before high-seas activity. Finally, it promotes the sharing of marine science and technology with countries that need support. This pact is seen as a key step toward protecting fragile marine ecosystems in areas that no country alone can manage.
Pakistan’s interest in ocean health has grown in recent years. In 2015, the UN approved Pakistan’s request to expand its seabed territory by 50,000 square kilometers.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50, today signed the Agreement under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement).… pic.twitter.com/SqwY529Ruo
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 22, 2025
More recently, Churna Island and Astola Island have been highlighted as vital marine biodiversity zones. Churna Island was declared Pakistan’s second marine protected area last year, while experts in 2020 praised Astola for its rich coral life and wildlife.
By signing this global pact, Pakistan not only supports ocean conservation but also strengthens its voice in global environmental governance. The BBNJ treaty is expected to help countries work together to protect ocean life from threats like overfishing, pollution, and unregulated deep-sea mining. Pakistan’s leadership role in this agreement highlights its growing focus on sustainability and equity on the international stage.