Mr. Serpa Soares, Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and United Nations Legal Counsel opened today the Intergovernmental Conference on an international legally binding instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ), in his capacity as Secretary-General of the Conference. Mr. Serpa Soares presided over the proceedings to elect Ambassador Rena Lee, from Singapore, as President of the Conference. H.E. Mr. Miroslav Lajčák, President of the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly, was also present and addressed the Conference during this opening meeting.

During his remarks, the Legal Counsel highlighted that this Intergovernmental Conference represents a historic moment, as it is the first time in more than 20 years – since the adoption of the United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement in 1995 – that a conference was convened to negotiate a legally binding international instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The Legal Counsel remarked that the oceans form an integral and essential component of the Earth’s ecosystem and are critical to sustaining it, and that the pressures on marine biodiversity are increasing. Thus, this Conference represents a critical phase in the discussions of the General Assembly on issues relating to marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction.

As Secretary-General of the Conference, Mr. Serpa Soares restated the commitment of the Office of Legal Affairs, in particular through the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, to support the Conference and its new President in the work ahead.