The United States of America has announced its intention to join the High-level Economic Coalition on Biodiversity to National Justice. The coalition launched by the EU at the One Ocean Summit in Brest in 2022 now gathers 51 parties. These parties, at the highest political level, are committed to achieving as soon as possible an ambitious international treaty on Biological Diversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ, also known as the “High Seas Convention”) under the auspices of the United Nations. Areas outside national jurisdiction make up 95% of the ocean. The treaty will allow for the designation of marine protected areas and will regulate human activities in the High Seas. The announcement from the United States comes at an important time ahead of a decisive new round negotiations, which will begin on February 20 at the United Nations.
virginius SinkevičiusThe Commissioner of Environment, Oceans and Fisheries said:
I am very pleased to welcome the United States of America to the High Economic Coalition. We share with them and the 51 members of the Alliance, the goal of urgent protection of the world’s oceans, through an ambitious and equitable High Seas Convention. I look forward to working more closely with the United States and all members of the Coalition before an important round of negotiations..
Ratification of the High Seas Convention a the main priority for the European Union. The EU will work closely with the coalition members and all delegations to conclude the negotiations at the meeting to be held in New York. from February 20 to March 3, 2023.
Significant progress was made in the last 4 yearsth and 5th International Conference and during the interval. The European Union and its member states hope that the US decision to join the coalition will encourage other delegations to do the same, in order to approach the next negotiating session more purposefully and faster.
Later on
Territories outside national jurisdiction is done 95% of the ocean and provides invaluable ecological, economic, social, cultural, scientific and food security benefits to humanity. However, these areas are now facing increasing threats, including the effects of climate change, overexploitation of natural resources, and pollution from multiple sources.
In order to preserve and protect the rich biodiversity in these areas, and after ten years of preparatory work, the United Nations General Assembly in December 2017 agreed on the development of a new international agreement on Biological Diversity for National Jurisdiction. did. The future instrument will ensure the correct regulation of human activities and the protection of biodiversity in the seas, while promoting a science- and ecosystem-based approach to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological resources. More broadly, protecting the high seas will also be a key element in achieving internationally agreed targets on biodiversity.
Aware of the need to increase efforts, the European Union launched a High Ambition Alliance on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction at the One Ocean Summit (Brest) on 11 February 2022, during the French Presidency of the Council of the EU. The coalition brings together parties committed, at the highest political level, to achieving an ambitious, effective, comprehensive, fair, balanced agreement on the BBNJ as soon as possible, under the auspices of the United Nations. After the accession of the United States, the coalition now counts 51 members and remains open for signature by all interested states and stakeholders.
More information
European Commission website on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction
United Nations website on BBNJ
