After Eight Years of Negotiation, Key Marine Areasfor Biodiversity Protection Approved at COP16

• This marks the first major agreement reached at COP16 among countries, aimed at identifying and conserving ecologically significant marine areas in international waters, thereby strengthening global governance over the oceans.

• A group composed of experts from various regionsworldwide will be established to identify and describe Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas(EBSAs) based on scientific criteria.

• The agreement promotes the active participation ofIndigenous peoples, local communities, and othergroups in the conservation process, supported byfunding from countries such as Germany, Canada, and Sweden for scientific and technical workshops.

Cali, October 30, 2024 – Attendees at the COP16 plenary session celebrated with great applause theapproval of the global agreement to identify and conserve ecologically significant marine areas in international waters after eight years of rigorousnegotiations.

This consensus marks a significant advancement in the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and strengthens global governance of the oceans. The decision seeks tofacilitate the conservation of marine biodiversity whilerespecting the rights and jurisdictions of states, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on theLaw of the Sea.

During the announcement, COP16 President Susana Muhamad hailed the agreement as a major first step towards the conference's objectives: “The commitmentwe have made today embodies the spirit ofcooperation and responsibility that drives COP16. Thisagreement will enable us to protect key areas for theplanet, ensuring that the oceans, our great climateregulators and source of life, have a strong and global defense”.

Backed by delegates from various regions, thisagreement establishes an innovative scientific and technical process for identifying Ecologically and Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs). Thispromotes the protection of essential species and ecosystems in international waters, beyond thejurisdiction of any single country.

In the coming days, the Advisory Group will establishvoluntary scientific review guidelines to ensuretransparency in the identification of areas of ecologicalinterest.