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<p>The FCO alongside 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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