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<p>The Foreign and Commonwealth Office 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 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 precise make-up of the UK delegation
will need to take into account any social distancing measures that may be in place
for the re-scheduled session, but it will be a strong delegation. 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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