Discussions underway into the Pacific’s third legally binding instrument

Discussions have begun into the Pacific’s third legally binding instrument.

This is for the conservation and sustainable use of Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction [BBNJ].

The three-day workshop which commenced in Suva this morning comes under the UN Convention on the Law of Sea.

Ministry of Fisheries Director, Aisake Batibasaga says the initiative aims to contribute to capacity-building efforts in the region and prepare for the second intergovernmental conference for the development of the BBNJ instrument.

“It’s like a Talanoa session where we come and learn from each other. There will be experts leading us through to the next two to three days to discuss very critical issues that we need to incorporate in our inventions that will be going up to the next intergovernmental convention.”

Batibasaga says 70 representatives from the Pacific with international scientific, legal and policy experts are part of the discussions – which is underway at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.

Meanwhile, the 2nd Intergovernmental conference will be held on 25th March in New York.