UN: Seventh meeting of the Working Group on Marine Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction

The seventh meeting of the UN Working Group on Marine Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction took place in New York from 1 to 4 April 2014. It was the first of three meetings planned to discuss the scope, parameters and feasibility of a new instrument under UNCLOS on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in the high seas and international seabed area. This meeting delved deeply into the scope, parameters and feasibility of a new instrument under the convention. The vast majority of countries are now calling for a third “Implementing Agreement” to UNCLOS for this purpose. The next meeting is scheduled for the 16 to 19 June 2014. More information on the preparation and results of this meeting can be found here. A summary (not official) of this meeting has been posted here.