NEW DELHI: The UN Ocean Conference ended with the ‘High Seas Treaty’ moving closer to becoming a global law to safeguard life in international waters through long-term protection of marine biodiversity in the high seas. A growing international call for a precautionary pause on deep-sea mining was one of the highlights of the global meet, which concluded in Nice, France, on Friday. Supporting a robust ‘Nice Ocean Action Plan’, India, during the conference, urged the international community to finalise the ‘Global Plastics Treaty’ and invest in science-based solutions to reverse the decline in ocean health. New Delhi also promised to ratify the ‘High Seas Treaty’ soon and suggested a 10-point roadmap for the future, focusing on sustainable development and ocean governance. One of the core objectives of the five-day conference, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, was to help bring into force the landmark ‘High Seas Treaty’—conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) agreement—adopted in 2023 following 20 years of negotiation. It aims to address the growing biodiversity crisis for ocean life outside the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The treaty will become law of the seas 120 days after the submission of the sixtieth instrument of ratification. So far, 50 members have already submitted their ratifications, while 15 others, including India and China, have committed to doing it soon. Nineteen out of 50 countries deposited their ratifications during the third UN Conference on the Ocean in Nice. Though the US actively participated in the process when the treaty was adopted in 2023, the country under President Donald Trump took a back seat in Nice. Union earth sciences minister Jitendra Singh, who represented India at the conference, informed the gathering that India was in the process of ratifying the treaty and urged the global community to accelerate the ratification of the BBNJ Agreement. The 10-point roadmap for the future suggested by Singh includes the expansion of marine protected areas; scaling up the blue economy through sustainable fisheries and maritime trade; reducing marine pollution through waste management and circular economy principles, and promoting offshore renewable energy. “Calls to halt deep-sea mining are growing, with 37 countries now supporting a precautionary pause or outright ban—a hopeful sign of political will to protect fragile ecosystems,” said Tom Pickerell, Global Director, Ocean Programme, WRI.