On Friday morning, Co-Chair Lijnzaad reported that the Friends of the Co-Chairs group had met until 10:15pm on Thursday night, and was due to reconvene to complete its work. Several delegations questioned the fact that the Co-Chairs group format does not allow for NGO participation. WWF expressed disappointment on behalf of all NGOs present at the Working Group’s meeting that the question of whether to allow the participation of a limited number of civil society representatives into the Friends of the Co-Chairs group was not discussed in plenary. Delegates also briefly discussed the aims of the intersessional workshops under discussion in the Friends of the Co-Chairs group. Co-Chair Lijnzaad suspended the session, and reconvened the Friends of the Co-Chairs meeting until 3:00pm.

In the afternoon, Co-Chair Kohona reported that the Friends of the Co-Chairs group had reached agreement on an annex providing terms of reference for the intersessional workshops. Delegates agreed to continue consideration of the Co-Chairs' non-paper containing draft recommendations in plenary. After consensus was not reached on four paragraphs, plenary was suspended in the evening while a small drafting group deliberated. Plenary resumed at 10.45pm to adopt the recommendations and terms of reference for the intersessional workshops. The meeting was gaveled to a close at 11:03pm by Co-Chair Lijnzaad.

Full web coverage available here: 11 May

On Thursday morning, the Working Group heard a report of the work of the Open-ended Friends of the Co-Chairs group, which reconvened throughout the day to discuss a Co-Chairs' non-paper on the Working Group's recommendations. In the evening, Co-Chair Lijnzaad reported that the Friends of the Co-Chairs group had nearly finished a first reading of the draft recommendations and would continue its work into the evening.

Greenpeace, WWF, Pew Environment Group, Deep Sea Conservative Coalition, Natural Resources Defense Council, the Marine Conservation Institute and the International Ocean Noise Coalition urged states favoring an implementing agreement to stand their ground while the closed-door deliberations continue, and ensure this meeting's outcome does not undermine efforts that will be made at Rio+20.

Full web coverage available here: 10 May

On Wednesday morning, the Working Group heard an expert presentation on Intellectual Property Rights in an informal information session. Delegates then resumed consideration of gaps and ways forward, and of plans for intersessional workshops. In the evening, an Open-ended Friends of the Co-Chairs group reconvened to discuss the outcome of the Working Group.

Full web coverage available here: 9 May

On Tuesday morning, participants heard expert presentations on the conservation of BBNJ and on the use and development of marine genetic resources, in an informal information session.

Delegates then resumed consideration of conservation and sustainable use of BBNJ and in the afternoon started discussions on gaps and ways forward, and on intersessional workshops. In the evening, an Open-Ended Friends of the Co-Chairs group convened to discuss the format of the Working Group’s recommendations.

Full web coverage available here: 8 May

On Monday morning, delegates addressed organizational issues, discussing the wording and sequence of agenda items. In the afternoon, delegates delivered opening statements and started substantive discussions on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ).

Full web coverage available here: 7 May