Monaco pursues its commitment to the protection and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ)

H.E. Ms. Isabelle Picco, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Monaco to the United Nations, accompanied by a delegation *, is currently participating in the second meeting of the Intergovernmental Conference known as "BBNJ", held in New York, until April 5, 2019.

The principal elements sustained by the Principality in this process of protection and sustainable use of marine biodiversity are the establishment of a network of management tools, by zone, in particular marine protected areas, the role of science, capacity building, the obligation to cooperate and the promotion of any provision that preserves the marine environment, its ecosystem and its biodiversity.

Around the debate, Monaco co-organized two side-events. The first (26 March), with the Global Ocean Forum, a long-time partner on oceans and climate change issues, focused on capacity building. The second (March 27), with France, the Alliance of Small Island States, the Tara Expeditions Foundation, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, Harvard University and the International Council of Environmental Law, focused on the involvement of different stakeholders in the field of marine genetic resources.

A reception was also offered at the Permanent Mission with the attendance of the President of the Conference, Ms. Rena Lee, Ambassador for Oceans and Law of the Sea and Special Envoy of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore, which allowed many discussions to continue in an informal setting. On this occasion, Ambassador Isabelle Picco, the French Ambassador for Oceans Serge Segura, Belize Ambassador Lois Young, President of the Alliance of Small Island States, and André Abreu, Environment and Climate Manager of Tara Expeditions, emphasized the importance of science, partnerships, and the private sector for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans.

The purpose of this second session of the Intergovernmental Conference is to continue to move towards a new binding international agreement that will complement the regime established by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The next session will be held in New York in August.

*: Mr Tidiani Couma, Secretary of External Relations, Mr Florian Botto, Second Secretary at the Permanent Mission of Monaco to the United Nations, and Ms Laetitia Highman, Legal Officer of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.