Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
such as routine scientific observations and data collection, not covered by relevant provi-
sionsinUNCLOS,arerecognizedtobeofcommoninteresttoallcountriesandtohaveuni-
Biological Diversity (CBD) and its Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and
the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization to the Convention
on Biological Diversity, are relevant and can provide solutions to dealing with unresolved
issues, as exemplified by issues related to marine genetic resources in areas beyond nation-
al jurisdiction (cf.
Chapters 9
and
10
); and, more generally, there might be a need to devel-
op new international rules to address new subjects in the context of the current legal order,
as evolution by interpretation might not always provide adequate responses to dealing with
such new subjects, and evolution by codification might then be required (cf.
Chapter 10
)
.
While the debate on policy and legal aspects of how to deal with current and new
problems of the oceans, especially in areas beyond national jurisdiction, are pursued in the
context of relevant institutions and processes (cf.
Chapters 9
and
10
,
in particular), there
are already efforts in place to pilot-test new approaches to dealing with such new prob-
lems. In this regard, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) has explicitly included the
subject of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction in its portfolio. A GEF Programme
on Sustainable Fisheries Management and Biodiversity Conservation in the Areas beyond
National Jurisdiction (ABNJ) has been developed, which will benefit from a $50 million
investment from the GEF. The Programme foresees a capacity development element aimed
at advancing multistakeholder discussions of global and regional level perspectives and
experiences on issues related to sustainable management of fisheries, other resource uses,
and biodiversity conservation in marine areas beyond national jurisdiction through the as-
sessment of current knowledge and the identification and dissemination of best practices.
It is foreseen that the GEF Programme on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction will
assist in the identification of recommendations on how to address gaps in knowledge
and information, and capacity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (see
www.fao.org/cofi/
33199-02b19a0956b086b1a64430e7a73205051.pdf
for an overview of the Programme).
