The eighth meeting of the UN Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea (ICP-8) convened from 25-29 June 2007 in New York, US.

The meeting organized its discussions around the topic of “Marine genetic resources” (MGRs), as recommended by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in resolution 61/222. Co-Chairs Cristián Maquieira (Chile) and Lori Ridgeway (Canada) developed a draft text of elements to be suggested to the UNGA, drawing on panel discussions, although delegates were unable to agree on key language referring to the relevant legal regime for MGRs in areas beyond national jurisdiction. As a result, no consensus text on elements will be forwarded to the UNGA at its next session. However, the Co-Chairs announced that they would include the draft elements and recommendations within the Co-Chairs’ Report of ICP-8 to the UNGA, including an explanation of the divergence of views.
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