Views & Analysis

Update on Treaty Tracker

The Treaty Tracker went live last week, and as with any endeavour, there is a learning curve. Our process involves using a primary and secondary note taker, a synthesizer and then a builder and reviewer to try to bring you the most accurate summary of key points being made.  In addition, we always link to … Continued

13 September 2018

What is a zero draft?

Peggy Kalas, coordinator of the High Seas Alliance, give us an update on the agenda for the next few days and explains the importance of moving into negotiations around a zero draft. What is the Zero Draft and Why Does It Matter? By Duncan Currie* A zero draft usually presents the first version of an … Continued

12 September 2018

Diving Deeper Into EIAs

Lisa Speer, Director of International Oceans Program at NRDC, dives deeper into Environmental Impact Assessments and why they are important to ensuring the proper protection of the ocean. If you’d like to learn more about Environmental Impact Assessments, read the blog below from Duncan Currie, legal advisor for the High Seas Alliance: An environmental impact assessment … Continued

HSA statement on EIAs now available

High Seas Alliance: Environmental Impact Assessments 11 September 2018 Cluster 5.4, 5.5, 5.6 Thank you Mr Facilitator. I will be brief and skip sections including some already addressed by other delegations, and our longer remarks will be on Papersmart. On 5.4  a and b EIA   Process: We believe the agreement need not specify a high … Continued

11 September 2018

What to expect in week 2

Liz Karan, senior manager of high seas at The Pew Charitable Trusts, tells us what we can expect in the week ahead.

ABMTs and MPAs run short of time

Day one of week two at the IGC was taken up with Area Based Management Tools (ABMTs) including Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs). The sessions were held as informal working groups although this is still the full complement of States, Intergovernmental Organisations (IGOs) and Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs). The sessions went … Continued

See the latest Greenpeace statement on behalf of the HSA: ABMTs + MPAs Informal Session

Brief written intervention for Greenpeace on behalf of High Seas Alliance; not given verbally due to session running out of time Align with G77 + China, the EU, African Group, PSIDS, CARICOM, Argentina, Brazil, Singapore, Costa Rica, South Africa, Senegal, Kenya, and many others, for a global approach, a wide consultation process, a Conference of … Continued

10 September 2018

Update after the first week of negotiations

There has been a great buzz during week one of the UN high seas biodiversity treaty negotiations. Duncan Currie, legal advisor to the High Seas Alliance, gives us an update so far and shares his hopes for the week to come.

9 September 2018

Views from HSA Members inside the Treaty negotiations on progress so far

Duncan Currie, legal advisor for the HSA, tells us that States are talking about MPAs and the need to create MPAs during negotiations for a new UN high sea treaty.  Matthew Gianni, co-founder and political policy advisor for the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition, tells us what a robust UN high seas biodiversity treaty means … Continued

6 September 2018

Putting words on paper – the importance of a zero draft

A key outcome for the HSA and its members is that we see a move to produce a Zero Draft during this IGC. Essentially this means draft text for a treaty in order that States can begin negotiating the detail. This is important because it will keep the process moving swiftly and in line with … Continued

High Seas Alliance, September 5th: General Exchange of Views

The High Seas Alliance is speaking on behalf of 40 NGO members and collectively represents the people around the world. We support a 2020 deadline for a new instrument. We have come from turbulent waters into a historic opportunity, and the 2017 UNGA Resolution 72/249 convened this IGC to elaborate the BBNJ Treaty. We are … Continued