Resumption of the BBNJ Treaty negotiations

The second part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) will be held in New York from February 20 to March 3, 2023 in order to elaborate the text of an international legally binding instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea (UNCLOS) on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ process).  

In her Declaration made after the suspension of the first part of the IGC5 which took place from August 15 to 26, 2022, the President of the Conference - Rena Lee - underlined the efforts and progress made by the working groups and the delegations. However she also highlighted that important compromises on key points still need to be done at the resumption of negotiations and work. 

The Further refreshed draft text provides an account of the forthcoming negotiations on certain issues such as questions relating to benefit sharing, the scope of the Agreement, the role of the Scientific and Technical Body and the Conference of the Parties, the triggering of environmental impact assessments, the principle of the common heritage of mankind, and financing mechanisms and sources. 

Most delegations are keen to complete the negotiations at the end of this Conference in order to conclude an agreement on the high seas.