Intergovernmental Conference on an international legally binding instrument 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
(General Assembly resolution 72/249)

Meeting coverage

Fifth substantive session

Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Concludes Work Following Landmark Adoption of Historic Treaty (20 June 2023)

Demonstrating 'the Power of Multilateralism', Intergovernmental Conference Adopts Historic New Maritime Biodiversity Treaty (19 June 2023)

The Ship Has Reached the Shore’, President Announces, as Intergovernmental Conference Concludes Historic New Maritime Biodiversity Treaty (3 MARCH 2023)

Secretary-General Commends Parties for Their Ambition, Flexibility, Perseverance in Finalizing Text on Marine Biodiversity Treaty (3 MARCH 2023)

Intergovernmental Conference Inches Closer to New Maritime Biodiversity Treaty (3 MARCH 2023)

As New Ocean Treaty Session Continues, Intergovernmental Conference Speakers Warn Discussions Exceed Mandate, Vulnerable Countries’ Needs Not Addressed (2 MARCH 2023)

Secretary-General Urges Intergovernmental Conference to Adopt Robust, Ambitious Maritime Biodiversity Treaty that Protects Ocean Health for Future Generations (1 MARCH 2023)

‘The Time Is Ticking’, Intergovernmental Conference President Says, Urging Delegates to Work towards Closing Draft of New Ocean Biodiversity Treaty (28 FEBRUARY 2023)

As Intergovernmental Conference on New Maritime Biodiversity Treaty Continues Resumed Session, Speakers Voice Concerns about Proposals, Urge Flexibility (27 FEBRUARY 2023)

Intergovernmental Conference President Urges Delegations to Focus on ‘Must Have’ Provisions, as Session Drafting New Ocean Biodiversity Treaty Continues (24 FEBRUARY 2023)

Intergovernmental Conference Delegations ‘Four Days Closer’ to New Maritime Treaty on Biodiversity, Says President as Resumed Fifth Session Continues (23 FEBRUARY 2023)

Intergovernmental Conference for Drafting First-Ever Maritime Biodiversity Treaty Hears Reports from Facilitators of Discussions Tackling Text’s Different Aspects (22 FEBRUARY 2023)

Intergovernmental Conference for Drafting First-Ever Maritime Biodiversity Treaty Resumes Fifth Session as President Calls for Flexibility to Bridge Text’s Gaps (20 FEBRUARY 2023)

Intergovernmental Conference for Drafting First-Ever Maritime Biodiversity Treaty Suspends Fifth Session, Allowing Time to Seek Compromise, Finalize Text (26 AUGUST 2022)

Intergovernmental Conference to Draft Maritime Biodiversity Treaty Continues Fifth Session (23 AUGUST 2022)

Delegates Hear Updates on Progress, Concerns over Working Methods, as Intergovernmental Conference to Draft Maritime Biodiversity Treaty Wraps Up First Week of Fifth Session (19 AUGUST 2022)

Facilitators Highlight Progress Over Last Two Days at Intergovernmental Conference to Draft First-Ever Oceans Biodiversity Treaty (17 AUGUST 2022)

Intergovernmental Conference President Urges Delegations to Exercise Flexibility, Deliver Final Draft of Oceans Treaty on Biodiversity, as Fifth Session Begins (15 AUGUST 2022)

Intergovernmental Conference to Draft Biological Diversity Treaty Convenes Fifth Session, 15-26 August (12 AUGUST 2022)

Fourth substantive session

Speakers Call for Conclusion of New Oceans Treaty on Biodiversity in 2022, as Intergovernmental Conference Agrees on Fifth Session (18 MARCH 2022)

Intergovernmental Conference on Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity to Hold Fourth Session at United Nations Headquarters, 7-18 March (7 MARCH 2022)

Third substantive session

New Oceans Treaty Must Be Robust, Practical in Application, Delegates Stress, Closing Third Round of Marine Biodiversity Negotiations (30 AUGUST 2019)

Delegates Discuss Environmental Impact Assessment Reports, Establishment of Scientific Body, as Marine Biodiversity Treaty Negotiations Continue (29 AUGUST 2019)

Delegates Debate Control Over Marine Genetic Resources, Relationship between Other Legal Instruments, as Biodiversity Treaty Talks Continue (28 AUGUST 2019)

Delegates Take Up Measures Related to Area-Based Management Tools, as Negotiations on Drafting Marine Biodiversity Treaty Continue (27 AUGUST 2019)

Speakers Discuss Ways to Monitor Capacity-Building, Technology Transfer Needs of Developing States, as Marine Biodiversity Treaty Talks Enter Second Week (26 AUGUST 2019)

Concluding First Week of Marine Biodiversity Treaty Negotiations, Legal Experts Assess How to Regulate Genetic Resources, Share Benefits (23 AUGUST 2019)

Delegates Agree State Party Should Decide Need for Environmental Impact Assessments Yet Differ on Scope, Implementation, as Marine Biodiversity Treaty Talks Continue (22 AUGUST 2019)

Speakers Consider Criteria for Area-Based Management Tools, as Negotiations on Draft Treaty to Protect Marine Biodiversity Enter Third Day (21 AUGUST 2019)

Delegates Consider Role of Capacity-Building, Technology Transfer, as Deliberations Continue on Treaty Governing Marine Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdictions (20 AUGUST 2019)

Delegates Begin Text-Based Deliberations for First-Ever Treaty on Managing Marine Biodiversity beyond National Jurisdiction Areas, at Start of Conference Session (19 AUGUST 2019)

Second substantive session

Delegates Hail Positive Progress on New High Seas Treaty, as Second Session of Intergovernmental Negotiations Concludes (05 APRIL 2019)

Delegates Discuss Creating Mechanism for Storing, Exchanging Information, as Intergovernmental Negotiations on New High Seas Treaty Continues (04 APRIL 2019)

As Intergovernmental Negotiations on New Ocean Treaty Continue, Delegates’ Divergent Views Emerge on Funding, Review Processes, Subsidiary Bodies (03 APRIL 2019)

Delegates Tackle Parameters, Definitions for Capacity-Building, Transfer of Marine Technology, as Intergovernmental Negotiations on New High Seas Treaty Continues (02 APRIL 2019)

Delegates Discuss Guidelines for Content of Environmental Impact Assessment Reports, as Negotiations on New High Seas Treaty Enter Second Week (01 APRIL 2019)

New Ocean Treaty Should Not Undermine Existing Legal Instruments, Delegates Caution as They Conclude First Week of Intergovernmental Negotiations (29 MARCH 2019)

Delegates Favour Lead Role for States in Shaping Marine Protection Measures, as Intergovernmental Negotiations on New High Seas Treaty Continue (28 MARCH 2019)

New Treaty Must Complement, Not Renegotiate, ‘Delicate Balance’ in Convention on Law of the Sea, Delegates Tell Intergovernmental Conference (27 MARCH 2019)

Delegates Discuss Best Ways to Share Benefits of Marine Genetic Resources in Proposed New Oceans Treaty, as Intergovernmental Conference Continues (26 MARCH 2019)

Increased Cooperation, Special Attention to Developing States Must Steer Talks on New High Seas Treaty, Delegates Say as Conference Opens Second Session (25 MARCH 2019)

First substantive session

‘Zero Draft’ of Marine Biological Diversity Treaty Critical for Negotiations, Delegates Tell Intergovernmental Conference (14 SEPTEMBER 2018)

Delegates Conclude Discussions on Marine Genetic Resources, as Intergovernmental Conference Drafting Treaty under Law of Sea Convention Continues (13 SEPTEMBER 2018)

Principles, Objectives of Benefit-Sharing among Issues Discussed in Conference to Draft Marine Biological Diversity Treaty (12 SEPTEMBER 2018)

As Intergovernmental Conference to Draft Marine Biological Diversity Treaty Continues, Delegates Tackle ‘Use of Terms’, ‘Environmental Impact’ Issues (11 SEPTEMBER 2018)

Opening Second Week of Conference to Draft Marine Biological Diversity Treaty, Delegates Focus on How Instrument Addresses Environmental Impact Assessments (10 SEPTEMBER 2018)

Speakers Discuss Area-Based Management Tools, as Intergovernmental Conference to Draft Marine Biological Diversity Treaty Continues (07 SEPTEMBER 2018)

Speakers Debate Inclusion of Technology Transfer, Capacity-Building in Marine Biodiversity Treaty Draft, as Intergovernmental Conference Continues (06 SEPTEMBER 2018)

Delegates Say New Marine Biodiversity Treaty Must Respect Jurisdiction of Coastal States over Their Continental Shelf, as Intergovernmental Conference Continues (05 SEPTEMBER 2018)

Health of Oceans Critical to Planet’s Well-Being, Delegates Stress, as Conference Begins on Drafting Legally Binding Instrument Protecting Marine Biodiversity (04 SEPTEMBER 2018)

Concluding Organizational Session on Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity, Conference President Commends Work towards Legally Binding Instrument (18 APRIL 2018)

Delegates Call for Balanced Text to Guide Discussions towards Drafting International Treaty, as Conference on Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity Continues (17 APRIL 2018)

As Intergovernmental Conference on Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity Begins, Speakers Stress Binding Treaty Critical in Protecting World’s Oceans (16 APRIL 2018)