The UN PrepCom: What is it and why is it relevant to ATLAS

This presentation will explain the background and progress to date towards a new international legally binding instrument on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction. UNGA resolution 69/292 stemmed from discussions over 11 years (2004 – 2015) by an Ad Hoc Working Group. In 2011 a ‘package’ of topics was proposed and in 2015 the UNGA established a Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) ahead of a future Intergovernmental Conference.

ATLAS held a successful side event at PrepCom3 on 30 March 2017. This timing was fortuitous being at the end of the first week of Informal Working Groups on Marine Genetic Resources, Area-based Management Tools, Environmental Impact Assessment and Capacity Building & Technology Transfer (the four elements of the package). ATLAS work can contribute to each of these elements. Delegations in New York consistently refer to incorporating best available science.

The PrepCom process is operating in parallel to discussions on Sustainable Development Goals (June 2017), which in turn incorporate CBD Aichi Biodiversity Targets and will be the subject of an EU ‘Our Oceans’ Conference in Valletta in October 2017.