Summary
On Monday, 17 September, the closing plenary of the first session of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) on an international legally binding instrument (ILBI) under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction heard a report of the Credentials Committee. President Lee provided an overview of progress made during IGC-1, including: different options on funding; procedural options on area-based management tools and marine protected areas; practical modalities for environmental impact assessments; and approaches to move forward on access and benefit-sharing from marine genetic resources. She confirmed that she will prepare a document, well in advance of IGC-2, to facilitate text-based negotiations, containing treaty language and reflecting options on the four elements of the package. She lauded delegates’ flexibility, commitment, and well-prepared interventions, and gaveled the meeting to a close at 10:41 am.
IISD Reporting Services, through its Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) Meeting Coverage, provided daily reports and daily web coverage from BBNJ IGC 1. In addition, IISD Reporting Services has published a summary and analysis report from the meeting.
Photos by IISD/ENB | Francis Dejon
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