Highlights and images for 1 April 2019

Negotiations
Conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction – BBNJ
2nd Session of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ)

Summary

Highlights for Monday, 1 April 2019

L-R: Keleni Seruvatu and Semi Bolalailai, Fiji, receiving a Best in Opening Statement award from Jessica Battle, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) International

Delegates at the second session of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) continued discussions on environmental impact assessments (EIAs) in an informal working group facilitated by René Lefeber (the Netherlands). Under EIAs, they considered the process for these assessments, as well as details related to the:

content of an EIA;

monitoring, reporting, and review;

strategic environmental assessments (SEAs); and

activities for which EIAs are required.

During the lunch break, delegates attended side-events on: the role of science and a scientific body under the new instrument, presented by the Government of Canada, the High Seas Alliance, and Pew Charitable Trusts; and “Connectivity: a critical consideration in global ocean governance,” presented by UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre. In the corridors, while EIA discussions made clear progress on activities, process, and content, conceptual murkiness and conflict remained regarding monitoring, reporting, and review, and strategic environmental assessments. There was a general acceptance of the utility of SEAs, but views diverged on how they would apply to areas beyond the control of states and who would conduct them.For extensive details on the day’s negotiations and to hear what delegates said in the corridors, see our daily Earth Negotiations Bulletin.

IISD Reporting Services, through its Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) Meeting Coverage, has provided daily web coverage, daily reports, and a summary and analysis report from BBNJ IGC 2. The summary and analysis report is now available in HTML and PDF.

Photos by IISD/ENB | Francis Dejon

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Informal Working Group on Environmental Impact Assessments

L-R: René Lefeber, the Netherlands, Facilitator of the informal working group on environmental impact assessments; Gabriele Goettsche-Wanli, Director, UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS); and Michele Ameri, UNDOALOS