Written question asked by Lord Grayling (Conservative) on Friday, 17 February 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 21 February 2023. It was answered by Anne-Marie Trevelyan (Conservative) on Monday, 27 February 2023 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Seas and Oceans: Treaties

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what proposals his Department will be making for the proposed High Seas Biodiversity Treaty; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: Negotiations in the Intergovernmental Conference to negotiate a new Implementing Agreement under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) resumed at the UN on 20 February. The UK strongly supports the conclusion of an ambitious agreement at these negotiations and is working hard with international partners to achieve that outcome, which will include a mechanism for establishing Marine Protected Areas in the high seas. Negotiations conclude on 3 March.

Secondary information