Why Indonesia Should Ratify the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement?
Abstract
Indonesia signed the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement in June 2023 but has yet to decide on ratification. This treaty fills legal gaps in UNCLOS 1982 by regulating marine genetic resources (MGRs), marine protected areas (MPAs), environmental impact assessments (EIAs), and equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). Given Indonesia’s strategic position as the world’s largest archipelagic state, ratification is essential to align national policies with global commitments, secure access to MGRs, and reinforce Indonesia’s role in international ocean governance. This study employs a doctrinal legal approach to examine Indonesia’s rights and obligations under the BBNJ Agreement and identify necessary adjustments to domestic laws and policies. The findings indicate that delaying ratification weakens Indonesia’s position in ABNJ governance and risks limiting access to MGR-related research, technology transfer, and benefit-sharing opportunities. Immediate ratification would ensure Indonesia’s active participation in global marine conservation while strengthening national legal certainty and maritime diplomacy. Future research should explore legal harmonization strategies to facilitate effective implementation of the agreement.
References
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Broggiato, Arianna, Thomas Vanagt, Laura E. Lallier, Marcel Jaspars, Geoff Burton, and Dominic Muyldermans. “Mare Geneticum: Balancing Governance of Marine Genetic Resources in International Waters.” International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 33, no. 1 (2018): 3–33. https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-13310030.
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Druel, Elisabeth, and Kristina M. Gjerde. “Sustaining Marine Life beyond Boundaries: Options for an Implementing Agreement for Marine Biodiversity beyond National Jurisdiction under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.” Marine Policy 49 (2014): 90–97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2013.11.023.
F. Saliger. “Content and Practical Significance of Radbruch’s Formula.” Problems of the Philosophy of Law Vol. II (2004): 68.
Friedman, Shani. “The Interaction of the BBNJ Agreement and the Legal Regime of the Area, and Its Influence on the Implementation of the BBNJ Agreement.” Marine Policy 167, no. May (2024): 106235. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2024.106235.
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Sabharwal, Gita. “National Consultation for the Ratification and Implementation of Biodiversity beyond National Jurisdiction.” United Nations Indonesia, 2024.
Sala, Enric, Juan Mayorga, Christopher Costello, David Kroodsma, Maria L D Palomares, Daniel Pauly, U Rashid Sumaila, and Dirk Zeller. “The Economics of Fishing the High Seas.” Science Advances 4, no. 6 (2018): eaat2504. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aat2504.
Sato, Chie. “The Necessity of a Global Legal Framework for Protection of Marine Biodiversity in Areas beyond National Jurisdiction: Could the Bbnj Agreement Provide the Basis for an Integrated Framework?” Max Planck Yearbook of United Nations Law Online 25, no. 1 (2022): 584–624. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1163/18757413_02501016.
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Tambunan, Novita Yoseline. “Peran Lembaga Pengelola Perikanan (Lpp) Dalam Perikanan Tuna Di Indonesia.” JISIP (Jurnal Ilmu Sosial Dan Pendidikan) 5, no. 2 (2021). https://doi.org/10.58258/jisip.v5i2.1966.
Virgil, Dominique. “Indonesia ’ s Role in Establishing Comprehensive Global Governance of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction.” In Indonesian Year Book of International Law, edited by Arie Afriansyah, 2:207–40. jakarta, 2021.
Wang, Chuanliang. “On the Legal Status of Marine Genetic Resources in Areas beyond National Jurisdiction.” Sustainability (Switzerland) 13, no. 14 (2021): 5. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13147993.
Wartini, Sri. “The Legal Lacunae of UNCLOS and CBD to The Access and Benefit Sharing of Marine Genetic Resources in The Area Beyond National Jurisdiction.” Varia Justicia 18, no. 1 (2022): 52–70. https://doi.org/10.31603/variajusticia.v18i1.6989.
Wibisana, Andri Gunawan. “Keadilan Dalam Satu (Intra) Generasi:Sebuah Pengantar Berdasarkan Taksonomi Keadilan Lingkungan.” Mimbar Hukum 29, no. 2 (2017): 292. https://doi.org/10.22146/jmh.19143.
Yuliantiningsih, Aryuni, and Ade Maman Suherman. “Nexus between Biodiversity beyond National Jurisdiction and Extended Continental Shelf : The Need for Sui Generis Status in Overlapping Jurisdiction ∗.” Journal of East Asia and International Law 16, no. 2 (2023): 321–38. https://doi.org/: http:/.doi.org/10.14330/jeail.2023.16.2.07.
Alexy, Robert. “Gustav Radbruch’s Concept of Law.” Law’s Ideal Dimension 26, no. 1946 (2021): 107–18. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780198796831.003.0008.
Auli, Renata Christha. “Metode IRAC Dalam Penalaran Hukum.” Hukumonline.com, 2022. https://www.hukumonline.com/klinik/a/metode-irac-dalam-penalaran-hukum-lt631f2b19a4dc4/.
Baxter, Brian. A Theory of Ecological Justice. England: Routledge, 2005.
Bird, John Samuel. “Bio-Piracy on the High Seas? Benefit Sharing from Marine Genetic Resource Exploitation in Areas beyond National Jurisdiction.” Natural Resources 09, no. 12 (2018): 413–28. https://doi.org/10.4236/nr.2018.912026.
Broggiato, Arianna, Thomas Vanagt, Laura E. Lallier, Marcel Jaspars, Geoff Burton, and Dominic Muyldermans. “Mare Geneticum: Balancing Governance of Marine Genetic Resources in International Waters.” International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 33, no. 1 (2018): 3–33. https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-13310030.
Dirhamsyah. “Biodiversity beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ): Indonesian Perspective as an Archipelagic State.” IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 789, no. 1 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/789/1/012020.
Druel, Elisabeth, and Kristina M. Gjerde. “Sustaining Marine Life beyond Boundaries: Options for an Implementing Agreement for Marine Biodiversity beyond National Jurisdiction under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.” Marine Policy 49 (2014): 90–97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2013.11.023.
F. Saliger. “Content and Practical Significance of Radbruch’s Formula.” Problems of the Philosophy of Law Vol. II (2004): 68.
Friedman, Shani. “The Interaction of the BBNJ Agreement and the Legal Regime of the Area, and Its Influence on the Implementation of the BBNJ Agreement.” Marine Policy 167, no. May (2024): 106235. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2024.106235.
Gianova, Gabriella, and Andreas Aditya Salim. “BBNJ: Why Does It Matter to Indonesia?” thejakartapost.com, 2023. https://www.thejakartapost.com/paper/2023/03/16/bbnj-why-does-it-matter-to-indonesia.html.
Gümplová, Petra. “The New High Seas Treaty Will Not End the Tragedy of the Global Fishing Commons.” sfb294-eigentum.de, 2023. https://sfb294-eigentum.de/en/blog/the-new-high-seas-treaty-will-not-end-the-tragedy-of-the-global-fishing-commons/.
Gutierrez, Débora, Helena Calado, and Javier García-Sanabria. “A Proposal for Engagement in MPAs in Areas beyond National Jurisdiction: The Case of Macaronesia.” Science of the Total Environment 854, no. September 2022 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158711.
High Seas Alliance. “Join the Wave in 2025: Call on Leaders to Ratify the High Seas Treaty.” highseasalliance.org, 2025. https://highseasalliance.org/2025/01/31/call-on-leaders-to-ratify-the-high-seas-treaty.
Marciniak, Konrad. “Marine Genetic Resources: Do They Form Part of the Common Heritage of Mankind Principle?” In Natural Resources and The Law of the Sea, 373–405, 2017.
Maritime Injury Center. “International Maritime Law.” maritimeinjurycenter.com, 2024. https://www.maritimeinjurycenter.com/maritime-rights/international-maritime-law/.
Mulalap, Clement Yow, Tekau Frere, Elise Huffer, Edvard Hviding, Kenneth Paul, Anita Smith, and Marjo K. Vierros. “Traditional Knowledge and the BBNJ Instrument.” Marine Policy 122, no. June (2020): 104103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2020.104103.
Noyes, John E. “The Common Heritage of Mankind: Past, Present, and Future The Common Heritage of Mankind: Past, Present, and Future THE COMMON HERITAGE OF MANKIND: PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE.” Denv. J. Int’l L. & Pol’y 447, no. 1 (2012): 2011–12.
Nugraha, Ari Satia, Lilla Nur Firli, Dinar Mutia Rani, Ayunda Hidayatiningsih, Nadya Dini Lestari, Hendris Wongso, Kustiariyah Tarman, et al. “Indonesian Marine and Its Medicinal Contribution.” Natural Products and Bioprospecting 13, no. 1 (2023): 1–27. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13659-023-00403-1.
Nurbintoro, Gulardi, and Haryo Budi Nugroho. “Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction: Current Debate and Indonesia’s Interest.” Indonesia Law Review 6, no. 3 (2016): 283. https://doi.org/10.15742/ilrev.v6n3.213.
Oegroseno, Arif Havas. “Managing High Seas Through a Sui Generis.” In Marine Biodiversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction, 18, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004422438.
Okereke, Chukwumerije, and Mark Charlesworth. Environmental and Ecological Justice. Advances in International Environmental Politics, 2014. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137338976.
Peña Neira, Sergio. “Planning on Law: Fair and Just in the Division of Benefits. The Case of Genetic Resources in the High Seas (Water Column).” Revista Derecho Del Estado, no. 41 (2018): 227–53. https://doi.org/10.18601/01229893.n41.09.
Pham, Hanh Hong, and Tuan Van Vu. “Common Heritage of Mankind Principles Applied to Marine Genetic Resources in Areas beyond National Jurisdiction.” Lex Portus 8, no. 6 (2022): 7–36. https://doi.org/10.26886/2524-101X.8.6.2022.1.
Ricard, Pascale. “Marine Biodiversity beyond National Jurisdiction : The Launch of an Intergovernmental Conference for the HAL Id : Hal-02514627.” Maritime Safety and Security Journal 19, no. 4 (2018).
Rosadi, Otong. Quo Vadis Hukum, Ekologi Dan Keadilan Sosial. Yogyakarta: Thafa Media, 2012.
Sabharwal, Gita. “National Consultation for the Ratification and Implementation of Biodiversity beyond National Jurisdiction.” United Nations Indonesia, 2024.
Sala, Enric, Juan Mayorga, Christopher Costello, David Kroodsma, Maria L D Palomares, Daniel Pauly, U Rashid Sumaila, and Dirk Zeller. “The Economics of Fishing the High Seas.” Science Advances 4, no. 6 (2018): eaat2504. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aat2504.
Sato, Chie. “The Necessity of a Global Legal Framework for Protection of Marine Biodiversity in Areas beyond National Jurisdiction: Could the Bbnj Agreement Provide the Basis for an Integrated Framework?” Max Planck Yearbook of United Nations Law Online 25, no. 1 (2022): 584–624. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1163/18757413_02501016.
Taghizadeh, Zakieh. “Marine Genetic Resources as Common Heritage of Mankind under the BBNJ Agreement; the International Community toward a Pragmatic Benefit-Sharing Approach?” Biodiversity and Conservation, no. 0123456789 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-024-02962-2.
Tambunan, Novita Yoseline. “Peran Lembaga Pengelola Perikanan (Lpp) Dalam Perikanan Tuna Di Indonesia.” JISIP (Jurnal Ilmu Sosial Dan Pendidikan) 5, no. 2 (2021). https://doi.org/10.58258/jisip.v5i2.1966.
Virgil, Dominique. “Indonesia ’ s Role in Establishing Comprehensive Global Governance of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction.” In Indonesian Year Book of International Law, edited by Arie Afriansyah, 2:207–40. jakarta, 2021.
Wang, Chuanliang. “On the Legal Status of Marine Genetic Resources in Areas beyond National Jurisdiction.” Sustainability (Switzerland) 13, no. 14 (2021): 5. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13147993.
Wartini, Sri. “The Legal Lacunae of UNCLOS and CBD to The Access and Benefit Sharing of Marine Genetic Resources in The Area Beyond National Jurisdiction.” Varia Justicia 18, no. 1 (2022): 52–70. https://doi.org/10.31603/variajusticia.v18i1.6989.
Wibisana, Andri Gunawan. “Keadilan Dalam Satu (Intra) Generasi:Sebuah Pengantar Berdasarkan Taksonomi Keadilan Lingkungan.” Mimbar Hukum 29, no. 2 (2017): 292. https://doi.org/10.22146/jmh.19143.
Yuliantiningsih, Aryuni, and Ade Maman Suherman. “Nexus between Biodiversity beyond National Jurisdiction and Extended Continental Shelf : The Need for Sui Generis Status in Overlapping Jurisdiction ∗.” Journal of East Asia and International Law 16, no. 2 (2023): 321–38. https://doi.org/: http:/.doi.org/10.14330/jeail.2023.16.2.07.
Published
2025-03-25
How to Cite
YULIANTININGSIH, Aryuni et al.
Why Indonesia Should Ratify the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement?.
Jurnal Dinamika Hukum, [S.l.], v. 25, n. 1, p. 91-111, mar. 2025.
ISSN 2407-6562.
Available at: <https://jos.unsoed.ac.id/index.php/jdh/article/view/15468>. Date accessed: 03 apr. 2025.
doi: https://doi.org/10.20884/1.jdh.2025.25.1.15468.
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