On 28 and 29 January 2020, the European Commission organized an international event, focused on environmental impact assessments (EIAs) and strategic environmental assessments (SEAs) located in areas beyond national jurisdiction in Brussels. Namely through this workshop, EU will boost the conclusion of a treaty on the high seas.
Over than 100 negotiators of the United Nations and relevant stakeholders of private sector, international organisations etc., had the opportunity to discuss several issues relating to the environmental impact assessments (EIA), during the event.
Let’s seize the opportunity this year for concluding a new Treaty that will protect the high seas, half of our planet.
…Virginijus Sinkevičius, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, said at the beginning of the workshop.
Moreover, all participants focused on the sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction – known as ‘BBNJ’ under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
This provided a unique opportunity for more than 30 UN delegations active in the negotiations and coming from different regions of the world to discuss environmental impact assessments, strategic environmental assessments and key outstanding issues with experts and other relevant stakeholders.
… EU noted.
There were also discussed potential solutions to some of these environmental issues, by analyzing concrete proposals for the future treaty. Concluding, the 4th session of the BBNJ negotiations is scheduled to take place at the UN during 23 March and 3 April 2020.
Overall, 102 environmental organizations, led by Seas At Risk, BirdLife Europe, ClientEarth, Oceana, Surfrider Foundation Europe and WWF recently announced the launch of the “Blue Manifesto”, a rescue plan for healthy oceans by 2030.
