Marine biodiversity

Resumed 5th Session of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) on BBNJ

20 February – 4 March 2023 | UN Headquarters, New York

Conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction – BBNJ

About

Governments agreed on a draft treaty on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction. The eventual treaty will address exploitation of marine genetic resources, including benefit-sharing; establish area-based management tools, such as marine protected areas; set procedures for environmental impact assessments; and provide capacity building and transfer of marine technology.

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The conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) has drawn international attention over the past 15 years, as mounting scientific information reveals the richness and vulnerability of such biodiversity, particularly around seamounts, hydrothermal vents, sponges, and cold-water corals. However, concerns are growing about the increasing anthropogenic pressures posed by existing threats including overfishing, mining, and marine pollution, and emerging activities such as bioprospecting in the deep sea.

Following more than a decade of discussions held under the United Nations General Assembly, the Assembly, in its resolution 72/249 of 24 December 2017, decided to convene an Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) to elaborate the text of an international legally binding instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the conservation and sustainable use of BBNJ. The IGC held its organizational session in 2018 and held four formal sessions in September 2018, March 2019, August 2019, and March 2022, after postponements occasioned by COVID-19 restrictions.

Unable to conclude their work at IGC-4, the IGC met for an additional fifth session, in an intense round of negotiations, in August 2022. This session was characterized by “informal-informal” talks, small group sessions, and bilateral and group consultations with IGC President Rena Lee (Singapore) to make headway on outstanding issues. Delegates based their discussions on two iterations of draft treaty text over the two-week meeting. The main elements under consideration are:

  • marine genetic resources, including questions on the sharing of benefits;
  • measures such as area-based management tools, including marine protected areas;
  • environmental impact assessments;
  • capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology, as well as cross cutting issues.

Although IGC-5 was lauded by many as the “the closest we have come to reaching consensus,” convergence around key issues remained elusive. At the end of the session, delegates agreed to resume IGC-5 in 2023.  Many hoped this meeting would finally conclude in agreement on a new treaty to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity in the high seas.

At IGC-5.2, delegates based their deliberations on a ‘Further refreshed draft text,’ originally circulated on the last day of IGC-5. The meeting ran from 20 February – 4 March 2023 at UN Headquarters in New York and went more than 34 hours into overtime.

View past and future events

Past event

1st Meeting of the BBNJ Working Group

Past event

2nd Meeting of the BBNJ Working Group

Past event

4th Meeting of the BBNJ Working Group

Past event

5th Meeting of the BBNJ Working Group

Past event

9th Meeting of the BBNJ Working Group

Past event

1st Session of the BBNJ Preparatory Committee

Past event

2nd Session of the BBNJ Preparatory Committee

Past event

3rd Session of the BBNJ Preparatory Committee

Past event

4th Session of the BBNJ Preparatory Committee

Past event

1st Session of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) on an International Legally Binding Instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyo...

Past event

2nd Session of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ)

Past event

3rd Session of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction

Past event

Intersessional Work of the BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference

Past event

4th Session of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) on the BBNJ

Past event

5th Session of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) on the BBNJ

Past event

Resumed 5th Session of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) on BBNJ

Past event

Further resumed 5th Session of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) on BBNJ

Past event

Organizational Meeting of the Preparatory Commission for the Entry Into Force of the BBNJ Agreement and the Convening of the 1st Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Agreement

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