The number of parties to the Agreement on Marine Biodiversity has exceeded 100

China News Service, Xiamen, November 5 (Reporter Ruan Yulin) The Institute of Marine Development Strategies of the Ministry of Natural Resources of China released the report "Status, Role, Prospects and China's Role of the Agreement on Marine Biodiversity" in Xiamen on the 5th. It pointed out that currently, the number of parties to the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (hereinafter referred to as the Agreement on Marine Biodiversity or the Agreement) has exceeded 100 and has officially entered a new stage from governance blueprint to implementation.

The Marine Biodiversity Agreement is the third implementation agreement of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. After nearly 20 years of negotiations, it was adopted by consensus in June 2023 and will officially enter into force in January 2026.

The report pointed out that the Agreement establishes rules and regulations for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. It is the latest development of international law of the sea, a landmark achievement of multilateralism, and a milestone.

As the third implementation agreement of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Agreement systematically responds to practical needs in terms of benefit sharing of marine genetic resources and protection of marine biodiversity, develops special international treaties with the times, properly handles relations with relevant international institutions, builds an institutional framework for synergy, and fills key institutional gaps in global ocean governance.

The Agreement creates a governance structure composed of the Conference of the Parties, subsidiary bodies and a secretariat, establishes a financial mechanism composed of multi-category funds, and promotes a collaborative network with relevant international institutions. The Agreement requires state parties to disclose basic information such as time and location before carrying out marine genetic resource collection activities to create opportunities for developing countries to participate.

The report points out that in order to guide the parties to carry out environmental impact assessments of marine activities, the Agreement will establish standards and guidelines for initiating screening or environmental impact assessments, assessing cumulative impacts, consulting with stakeholders, monitoring environmental impact monitoring reports of authorized activities, and conducting strategic environmental impact assessments, providing a clear path for countries to standardize and manage the environmental impacts of marine activities.