23 June 2015
UNGA Adopts Resolution to Develop Legally-Binding Instrument on the Conservation of Marine Biological Diversity in ABNJ
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UN Member States adopted a Resolution (UNGA/RES/69/292) on the development of an international, legally-binding instrument under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ).

The Resolution aims to build on and support UNCLOS' implementation through creating marine protected areas (MPAs) in the high seas, improving environmental impact assessments (EIAs), addressing access and benefit sharing (ABS), and ensuring transparency and accountability on progress.

69th Session of the UNGA19 June 2015: UN Member States adopted a Resolution (UNGA/RES/69/292) on the development of an international, legally-binding instrument under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The Resolution aims to build on and support UNCLOS’ implementation through creating marine protected areas (MPAs) in the high seas, improving environmental impact assessments (EIAs), addressing access and benefit sharing (ABS), and ensuring transparency and accountability on progress.

In the Resolution, Member States decide to develop an internationally legally-binding instrument under UNCLOS and to establish a preparatory committee to make substantive recommendations to the UN General Assembly (UNGA) on the elements of a draft text of such an instrument. The preparatory committee will convene from 28 March – 9 April 2016 and 29 August – 12 September 2016 and will report on its progress to the UNGA by 2017. Negotiations will address the topics identified in the agreed 2011 package: the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of ABNJ; marine genetic resources, including on the sharing of benefits; and measures such as area-based management tools, including MPAs, EIAs and capacity building and the transfer of marine technology.

The Resolution also: outlines procedures for electing a bureau consisting of two members from each regional group; and requests the UN Secretary-General to establish a special voluntary trust fund to assist developing countries, particularly the least developed countries (LDCs), land-locked developing countries (LLDCs) and small island developing States (SIDS) in attending the meetings of the preparatory committee.

The UNGA is expected to decide on launching an intergovernmental negotiating conference to adopt the new instrument by the end of 2017. [UNGA Resolutions] [UNGA Resolutions and Decisions on Oceans] [Natural Resources Policy & Practice Article on the Process] [Natural Resources Policy & Practice Coverage of ABNJ] [IUCN Press Release]