The Agreement on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction

Abstract This book brings together perspectives of experts involved in the negotiation of the Agreement 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 (the BBNJ Agreement). The focus is on the history of the negotiations and analysis of the BBNJ Agreement. Part I provides the context in which the Agreement was negotiated and a history of formal discussions in the United Nations through to the conclusion of the Agreement. The commentary chapters in Part II explore each part of the BBNJ Agreement, discuss how the negotiations developed, identify key issues during the negotiations, and provide analysis of the concluded text. The final chapters provide a range of perspectives on the Agreement. Negotiators from the G-77 and the Pacific Small Island Developing States regional groups reflect on their experiences of the Intergovernmental Conference. Finally, chapters explore the relationship between the Agreement and science, international environmental law, and intellectual property.