| answer text |
<p>The UK is leading the way on ocean protection. The Blue Belt Programme is on track
to protect over 4 million square kilometres of ocean around the Overseas Territories
before the end of the year. The Government has committed to extend this programme.
We are also working closely with Commonwealth partners through the Commonwealth Marine
Economies Programme (CMEP) to support sustainable development of their marine economies;
and the Commonwealth Clean Ocean Alliance (CCOA) to reduce marine plastic pollution,
amongst other initiatives. The Government is committed to further action to protect
the ocean including through the £500 million Blue Planet Fund.</p><p>My Department
and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs have been closely involved
in the negotiation of a new Implementing Agreement under the United Nations Convention
on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological
diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction - the BBNJ Agreement - as an important
step forward in addressing the challenges that the ocean faces. The UK is pressing
for an ambitious Agreement to be concluded in 2020. It will be a key mechanism in
enabling the designation of at least 30 per cent of the global ocean as Marine Protected
Areas by 2030. A joint FCO-DEFRA team of officials will represent the UK in these
talks based on positions agreed by ministers.</p>
|
|
