February 17, 2026 01:14 am (IST)
Follow us:
UN seeks global instrument to protect marine biodiversity
New York, Apr 3 (IBNS): United Nations Member States have begun a series of meetings in New York to discuss the need for an international instrument that would regulate the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity beyond countries' national jurisdiction.
From 1 to 4 April, a working group consisting of representatives from UN Member States, intergovernmental organizations, the scientific community and civil society are discussing ways to protect marine resources from a number of pressures that cumulatively put oceans at risk.
“If we are to fully benefit from the oceans, we must reverse the degradation of the marine environment due to pollution, overexploitation and acidification,” said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who has in the past repeatedly urged all nations to work towards that end, including by joining and implementing the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The Convention governs all aspects of ocean space, including the delimitation of maritime boundaries, exploitation of living and non-living resources, protection and preservation of the marine environment, marine scientific research and the settlement of relevant international disputes. If an instrument were to be developed, it would fall under this Convention.
At the 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), States committed to urgently address the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction. Healthy, productive and resilient oceans, rich in marine biodiversity, have a significant role to play in sustainable development as they contribute to the health, food security and livelihoods of millions of people around the world.
“The Working Group is now at a critical juncture of its work. The next three meetings present a clear opportunity to try and overcome remaining differences and to crystalize the areas of convergence into concrete action,” said UN Legal Counsel Miguel de Serpa Soares in his opening remarks at the meeting.
The Working Group will present its recommendations on the scope, parameters and feasibility of the instrument to the General Assembly to enable it to make a decision before the end of its 69th session, in September 2015.
The meetings will be co-chaired by the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the UN, Palitha T. B. Kohona, and the Legal Adviser of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Liesbeth Lijnzaad.
(Photo: UNESCO)
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.
Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
Latest Headlines
T. rex grew for 40 years—much longer than scientists ever thought!
Fri, Jan 16 2026
Gir No Longer Home to Most Asiatic Lions
Fri, Jan 16 2026
Mother elephant rescues calf stuck on road, video melts internet
Thu, Oct 16 2025
Ranthambore scare: Tourists left stranded in tiger zone for 90 mins as guide flees safari
Sun, Aug 17 2025
Delhi: Royal Bengal Tiger Aditi gives birth to six cubs in zoo
Tue, Aug 05 2025
India's River Dolphin: Clear And Present Danger
Wed, May 28 2025