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UN PrepCom held its first meeting to settle an international agreement on marine biodiversity. (Image: High Seas Alliance)
NGOs praise international efforts to protect the oceans
(WORLDWIDE, 4/11/2016)
The first United Nations Preparatory Committee (UN PrepCom) aimed at forging an agreement to determine how nations move forward to protect the high seas has concluded on a very positive note after two weeks’ negotiations.
The organisation High Seas Alliance (HAS) informed that these negotiations are the first of four PrepCom sessions through the end of 2017, which will hopefully lead to a formal intergovernmental treaty conference in 2018.
“With active participation of civil society, we have now begun to engage in the details of crucial elements, and we will be actively engaged to ensure that the treaty provisions are robust,” remarked Peggy Kalas, HSA Coordinator.
For her part, Jessica Battle, Marine Manager, WWF International commented they stand ready to assist states going forward to achieve a new legally binding agreement with broad participation to ensure the protection and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
Political Advisor at Greenpeace International, Veronica Frank stressed: “We are encouraged by the open, transparent and inclusive discussion, and by the common understanding that the status quo is no longer acceptable.”
Frank highlighted that Greenpeace and the millions of supporters around the world will be following this process closely and expect governments to take the right decisions for healthy, productive and resilient oceans for the billions of people who depend on them and for the rights of future generations to continue enjoying from the critical services the ocean provides.
In addition, Elizabeth Wilson, Director of International Ocean Policy at The Pew Charitable Trusts pointed out: “This meeting was very productive. Governments came ready to proactively and constructively discuss the need for a global regime to establish high seas marine protected areas and reserves and environmental impact assessments.”
The director stressed the fact that the high seas—which begin beyond each country’s exclusive economic zone, 200 miles from shore—were once thought to be devoid of life and said that science has now shown that they are full of diverse species, from highly migratory sharks and turtles to the smallest microscopic organisms that help build the base of ocean food webs.
“It’s encouraging that this meeting fostered robust discussions, active participation, and a high level of interest from governments and from intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations. All regions of the world—including small islands and landlocked states—had a seat at the table,” Wilson expressed.
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