UN General Assembly adopts resolution on new oceans biodiversity treaty
(VOVWORLD) - The UN General Assembly on Tuesday adopted a resolution called “Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction” (BBNJ) with 150 votes out of 193.
 UN General Assembly adopts resolution on new oceans biodiversity treaty (Photo: VOV) |
The approval marked the end of a 20-year negotiation process. The General Assembly also approved management and finance proposals to assure that the agreement will be effectively implemented, called on countries to quickly ratify the agreement, and recommended that provisions on BBNJ be included in its annual agenda.
Members who supported the resolution called it a “triumph for multilateralism” and affirmed their determination to implement the document, which aims to conserve and sustainably use marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction and reinforce a comprehensive legal framework for all activities at sea, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The agreement will be open for signatures on September 20 and will enter into force 120 days after at least 60 states ratify it.