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<p>The FCO 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. 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.</p><p>Unfortunately, due to the impacts of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19),
the fourth session of the Inter-Governmental Conference, scheduled for 23 March to
3 April in New York, was postponed. The UK is supportive of re-scheduling the fourth
session for the earliest possible opportunity that will enable all delegations to
be present for the negotiations in New York. The UK also strongly supports intersessional
work, which is vital to ensure that we maintain momentum towards the successful conclusion
of these important negotiations.</p>
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