Talks on expansion of economic activity of the world’s oceans underway
−UN stakeholders currently in Guyana
DPI, Guyana, Friday, February 28, 2020
Members of the United Nations (UN) are in Guyana negotiating a framework that will guide the expansion of economic activities in the world’s oceans under the “areas beyond national jurisdiction” agreement.
The foreign ministry’s Department of Multilateral and Global Affairs Director, Troy Torrington, urged active participation during the talks so that Guyana could play its part in securing a robust agreement.
“The discussions today will provide us with an opportunity to consider how we can contribute to the development of international law in this area; considering our circumstances and the trajectory in this area, considering our own circumstances and the trajectory of development of the maritime sector in Guyana,” Torrington said at Thursday’s opening.
The workshop aims to make local stakeholders aware of the marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) process and issues, and how these are relevant to their rights, responsibilities and interests.
From March 23 to April 3, delegates will be engaged at the fourth intergovernmental conference to finalise the draft BBNJ treaty which will be hosted at the UN Headquarters in New York.