Arctic Frontiers 2019 side event: Implications of a BBNJ Treaty for the Arctic

Registration and more information about Arctic Frontiers 2019: https://www.arcticfrontiers.com/

 In recent years, the Arctic has undergone profound change, causing near irreversible modifications to the fragile and vulnerable Arctic marine ecology and environment. These changes have in turn prompted States to act – either unilaterally or through cooperative action – to protect the Arctic marine ecology and environment by addressing biodiversity conservation, new and exploratory fisheries, marine pollution, and scientific cooperation.                   Photo Credit: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

In parallel, an ongoing process towards the adoption of a global treaty on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, (BBNJ), has entered a critical phase, with an intergovernmental conference launched at the United Nations in December 2017. A BBNJ Treaty aims at establishing global rules on crucial conservation, research and innovation themes such as marine protected areas, environmental impact assessments and the access and utilization of marine genetic resources.

A large part of the Arctic Ocean is located beyond national jurisdiction and will fall under the scope of a BBNJ Treaty. This side event will explore questions related to the possible interactions between the existing Arctic marine governance framework and a BBNJ Treaty, including the options currently on the table with regards to institutional arrangements. Each speaker will discuss the possible implications of a BBNJ Treaty for an effective, ecosystem-based Arctic marine biodiversity governance through the lenses of cooperation and compatibility.