Welcome progress towards a legally-binding treaty to safeguard the ocean beyond national boundaries

On 24 January 2015, the United Nations took a historic step towards

safeguarding the global ocean commons. Government representatives

agreed to launch a formal preparatory process for a global and legally-

binding instrument for the conservation and sustainable use of marine

biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction.

The decision was reached after nine years of deliberation on how to

better conserve and manage the vast ocean area beyond national

boundaries –the high seas and international seabed area.

A formal preparatory committee will start work in early 2016 to craft

the elements of a draft treaty under the United Nations Convention on

the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). By September 2018 a decision will

be taken by the UN to finalise and adopt the text.

The treaty could help secure the designation of a truly global system of

marine protected areas, mainstream biodiversity conservation into the

governance of high seas fisheries, shipping and seabed mining, and

provide for more effective access to marine genetic resources. The

treaty could also foster important new scientific and commercial

discoveries while ensuring the benefits are shared by all.

A legally-binding treaty for our global ocean commons is essential to

build a healthy, resilient and productive ocean for the benefit of us all,

future generations included. Indeed, for the two thirds of the ocean

beyond national jurisdiction, international cooperation is the only way forward.

(IUCN)

(3sc26012015)