Call for Papers | International Seminar on Guardians of the Deep Blue: Indigenous Sovereignty, Marine Genetic Resources and the BBNJ Agreement by Saveetha School of Law: Submit by Nov 20

About Saveetha School of Law

Saveetha School of Law (SSL), Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai, is a premier institution established in 2009. It is committed to excellence in legal education, research and professional training.

The institution aims to nurture intellectual development, leadership qualities and legal expertise among students. Accredited with NAAC Grade A++ and recognised by the Bar Council of India, Saveetha School of Law provides a dynamic academic environment with opportunities for research, interdisciplinary learning, moot court activities, internships and community engagement.

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The institution seeks to promote innovative legal scholarship and contribute meaningfully to contemporary legal and social issues.

About the Seminar

Saveetha School of Law, SIMATS, is organising an International Seminar titled “Guardians of the Deep Blue: Indigenous Sovereignty, Marine Genetic Resources and the BBNJ Agreement.”

The Seminar will explore the complex relationship between marine genetic resources, Indigenous sovereignty, intellectual property and ocean governance beyond national jurisdiction under the BBNJ Agreement.

It aims to provide an academic platform for researchers, academicians, students and legal professionals to examine emerging legal challenges surrounding the deep sea. It will encourage interdisciplinary discussions on human rights, intellectual property protection, marine conservation, Indigenous participation and equitable governance of ocean resources.

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The Seminar will be held on 9 December 2026 in hybrid mode, allowing participants to attend both online and in person at Saveetha School of Law, SIMATS, Chennai.

Eligibility

The Seminar invites submissions from:

• Undergraduate and postgraduate students;
• Research scholars and doctoral candidates;
• Academicians and faculty members;
• Legal professionals and practitioners; and
• Interdisciplinary researchers working on relevant themes.

Theme

“Guardians of the Deep Blue: Indigenous Sovereignty, Marine Genetic Resources and the BBNJ Agreement”

The central theme focuses on reconciling human rights, intellectual property and ocean governance beyond national jurisdiction. It addresses questions concerning the governance of marine genetic resources, knowledge, access and benefit-sharing in the deep sea.

Sub-Themes

The Seminar will cover the following thematic tracks:

Track 1: Jurisprudential Tensions – Human Rights versus Commercial Property Regimes

• 1.1 Doctrinal Clashes: Collective Indigenous Rights and Proprietary Paradigms
• 1.2 Treaty Interoperability and the Risk of Normative Fragmentation
• 1.3 Mapping the Interplay among ILO Convention No. 169, the Nagoya Protocol and the BBNJ Agreement
• 1.4 The High Seas as a Legal Commons: Common Heritage, Freedom of the Seas and Indigenous Interests

Track 2: Patent Law Reform, Biopiracy and the Digital Frontier

• 2.1 Operationalising the 2024 WIPO GRATK Treaty: Disclosure, Sanctions and Domestic Implementation
• 2.2 The Legal Status of Digital Sequence Information (DSI) on Marine Genetic Resources
• 2.3 Evidentiary Thresholds and Prior Art in Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Patents
• 2.4 Intellectual Property Protection for Traditional Cultural Expressions

Track 3: Marine Governance, Jurisdictional Thresholds and FPIC

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• 3.1 Defining “Traditional Knowledge Associated with Marine Genetic Resources” in Public International Law
• 3.2 Oral Histories as Legal Evidence: Establishing the Marine Nexus
• 3.3 Who Consents? Identifying the Legitimate Representatives of IPLCs
• 3.4 The “Informed” Threshold in Deep-Sea Genetic Research
• 3.5 Digital FPIC: Cloud-Based Data Access and Interfaces with Scientific Bodies
• 3.6 Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) in Marine Conservation

Track 4: Institutional Design, Representation and Participation of Indigenous Peoples

• 4.1 Institutionalising Indigenous Voices in Treaty Bodies and Decision-Making Fora
• 4.2 Redefining Expertise: Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Marine Scientific Bodies
• 4.3 Lessons from the Arctic Council and the Convention on Biological Diversity
• 4.4 Rules of Procedure, Observer Status and Voting Rights
• 4.5 Financing Effective and Meaningful Participation

Submission Categories

The following participation and presentation categories are available:

• Student Participation
• Student Single-Author Presentation
• Student Two-Author Presentation
• Academician/Research Scholar Participation
• Academician/Research Scholar Single-Author Presentation
• Academician/Research Scholar Two-Author Presentation
• Online Participation and Presentation

Submission Guidelines

Participants interested in presenting papers must submit their abstracts through the designated seminar email address: [email protected]

The submission process involves the following steps:

1. Prepare the abstract.
2. Email the abstract to the designated seminar email address.
3. Await review and selection by the organising committee.
4. Receive the acceptance notification and presentation details.
5. Complete the registration process after acceptance.

Abstracts will be reviewed and selected by the organising committee. Selected authors will be informed about acceptance and presentation details.

The deadline for full paper submission is 30 November 2026. Detailed formatting requirements and paper specifications should be confirmed with the organising committee.

Important Dates

Registration Fees

The registration charges are as follows:

Students

Academicians and Research Scholars

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International Participants

Registration Fee: $25

Online participants and presenters will receive e-certificates.

Publication charges, if applicable, will be separate from the registration fees.

General Instructions

• The Seminar will be conducted in hybrid mode, with both in-person and online participation.
• Participants must adhere to the prescribed submission and registration deadlines.
• Abstracts will be reviewed and selected by the organising committee.
• Selected authors will be notified regarding acceptance and presentation details.
• The organising committee reserves the right to select papers for potential publication in an edited volume bearing an ISBN, subject to the standard review process.
• Publication charges, if applicable, will be communicated individually to the authors.
• International participants are advised to contact the organising committee before making payment.
• Online participants and presenters will receive e-certificates.

Registration Procedure

Click Here To Register.

Abstract Submission Email: [email protected]

Contact Info

Student Coordinators:

• Shivani Kurvanghat – 6385134610
• Shalini S – 7358209133
• Sanjeevraaj N N – 7845689777

The brochure is here.