Delegates discuss area-based management,
coordination, and impacts from human activities

The Ad Hoc Open-ended Informal Working Group of the General Assembly to study issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction (the Working Group) convened for its second day on Tuesday, 29 April, at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York.

In the morning, the Working Group addressed issues identified in General Assembly resolution 61/222. Regarding the environmental impacts of anthropogenic activities on marine biological diversity, delegates discussed: the deleterious impacts of these activities and their contribution to climate change and pollution; the enhanced application of precautionary and ecosystem approaches and use of environmental impact assessments; and the relevance of the report of the Assessment of Assessments.

Delegates also discussed cooperation and coordination among states and organizations and highlighted the need for improved implementation of existing regulatory regimes, as well as improved contact between and among bodies, and considered the need for a new overarching body.

During the afternoon, delegates exchanged views and shared national experiences on the role and use of area-based management tools.