Brussels, 12/04/2016 (Agence Europe) - UN preparatory work on developing a legally binding legal instrument for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction were concluded on Monday 11 April, following two weeks of inaugural and fruitful negotiations.
Commissioner Karmenu Vella, responsible for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, immediately welcomed this agreement as "a major step forward in enhancing international ocean governance" because it will, "implement and strengthen UNCLOS and overcome the current fragmentation of the legal order of the oceans. It should also contribute to a more sustainable use of our ocean resources, in line with the UN's recently adopted 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda".
For the first time, delegations discussed specific issues, including marine genetic resources, area-based management tools like marine protected areas, environmental impact assessments, capacity building and the transfer of marine technology.
The European Commission negotiated on behalf of the EU within the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The preparatory UN committee is expected to meet up twice in 2017. The Commissioner is hoping that negotiations will conclude with a formal conference of the signatories to the Convention of the Sea in 2018. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)