Biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction: agreement to implementation
Location:
Moot Court Room,
Old College
Date/time
Thu 6 June 2024
10:00-11:30
A panel discussion with:
Dr Daniela Diz, Heriot-Watt University
Prof James Harrison, University of Edinburgh
Dr Emmanuel Oke, University of Edinburgh
Alison Swaddling, Commonwealth Secretariat
Julia Schutz Veiga, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa
About the event:
The formal adoption of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) on 19 June 2023 marked the conclusion of a long series of negotiations, through which states and other actors have sought to fill gaps in the international legal framework relating to the use of the marine environment and resources beyond national jurisdiction. This vast marine space, composed of the high seas and the International Seabed Area, covers more than 60% of the planet and is home to many unique and fragile ecosystems. However, it is widely regarded as being one of the most difficult spaces to regulate. The adoption of the BBNJ Agreement was a major breakthrough for the international community aiming to promote stronger international governance of this common space, as well as offering better protection for the marine environment and establishing mechanisms to enable equitable processes and outcomes. However, the Agreement will not achieve its objectives unless it is fully and effectively implemented by states. This requires action by states at both national and international levels.
This panel discussion will explore the steps that states must take to implement this important new international treaty in an effective and equitable manner. Participants will consider how states can be supported to fulfil the ambitions underpinning the new treaty, and what implications the treaty will have for existing international regimes applicable to areas beyond national jurisdiction.
This event is being hosted as part of a broader project which has been financially supported by the Scottish Council on Global Affairs under their Insight Award Scheme.