THE HIGH SEAS TREATY

From negotiation to implementation

6-7 October 2023
Edinburgh, UK & online

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In March 2023, delegates at the United Nations finalised negotiations on a legally binding treaty text to conserve and sustainably use marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ). This landmark ‘BBNJ Agreement’ represents the culmination of decades of work to pull together the fragmented regime of regulations and bodies that manage how humanity uses two-thirds of the world’s ocean.

The conclusion of substantive negotiations for the BBNJ Agreement represents a major milestone for the protection of biodiversity and marine ecosystems in areas beyond national jurisdiction, including the high seas. However, it will remain up to States to apply the legal framework established in the Agreement in an ambitious and collective manner for the health of the high seas, if political targets such as the 30 x 30 target (establishing 30 percent of protected areas on land and sea by 2030) agreed upon under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) are to be reached. Now that the legal text has been agreed, it is essential to identify and explore the opportunities for successfully implementing the Agreement to achieve its biodiversity conservation and sustainability objectives. This two-day symposium at the University of Edinburgh will critically evaluate the potential challenges and opportunities for the implementation of the BBNJ Agreement.

The symposium will include keynotes from leading authorities in each of the four pillars of the agreement:

  1. Marine genetic resources, including questions on the sharing of benefits;
  2. Measures such as area-based management tools (ABMTs), including marine protected areas (MPAs);
  3. Environmental impact assessments (EIAs);
  4. Capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology.
Panel debate and audience discussion will be structured around core cross-cutting issues that will determine the effectiveness of the BBNJ Agreement.
For more details please see the symposium programme.

Venue

The High Seas Treaty Symposium will be held at Dynamic Earth – a science outreach centre located in the heart Scotland’s capital, pictured right.

Address: Dynamic Earth, Holyrood Rd, Edinburgh, UK, EH8 8AS.

 

Accommodation

Edinburgh offers an extensive choice of accommodation and caters for all tastes and budgets. For accommodation options in Edinburgh visit www.meetingedinburgh.com
 
The University of Edinburgh Hospitality and Events Collection has two hotels situated within walking distance from the symposium venue. For full details and to book please visit www.uoecollection.com
Dynamic Earth

Participation and further information

Everyone is welcome at this event, both in person in Edinburgh and online. Attendance is free of charge. 

To register to attend the Symposium, please fill in the registration form. 
The registration deadline is 10 September 2023 for in-person attendance and 20 September 2023 for remote participation.
 
We are delighted to invite the delegates to extend their visit and consider also attending the open plenary sessions of the iAtlantic Final Meeting in Edinburgh on 9-10 October 2023.
 

To receive email updates please subscribe to the symposium mailing list. Please direct any queries to oceans@ed.ac.uk

The High Seas Treaty Symposium 

6-7 October 2023, Edinburgh, UK

Contact us  |  Symposium Code of Conduct