March 24, 2023
Excellencies, Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends, Kia Orana and warm Pacific greetings. I am delighted to welcome you to this first session of a talanoa series, related to the important issue of Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdictions…BBNJ.
As many of you are aware, over two weeks ago, we witnessed history in the finalization of the global agreement on BBNJ. In the words of the President of the Conference of the Parties, Rena Lee, “The ship has finally reached the shore, bringing with it a new chapter on the law of the sea”.
Friends, the journey has not been without its challenges, and I am told the final hurdle included a closing negotiation session, that ran for 36 hours straight, until the final brackets were taken out!
As many of you are aware, over two weeks ago, we witnessed history in the finalization of the global agreement on BBNJ. In the words of the President of the Conference of the Parties, Rena Lee, “The ship has finally reached the shore, bringing with it a new chapter on the law of the sea”.
Friends, the journey has not been without its challenges, and I am told the final hurdle included a closing negotiation session, that ran for 36 hours straight, until the final brackets were taken out!
