One of the few positive outcomes from Rio+20 was the commitment of the international community to urgently address the need for high seas conservation including through a possible new Agreement under the Law of the Sea. The United Nations BBNJ (biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction) meeting in New York August 19 – 23 is the first time since Rio that states have sat down to actually address this and to determine whether or not the will to achieve an Agreement exists.
16 August, 2013