The first Forum Members Negotiators Meeting for new instrument on Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction started today at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Suva.
The meeting hopes to meet the objectives set out in order to advocate for the best interests of Pacific Islanders.
Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner Ocean Analyst Peni Suveinakama says the new treaty will govern biodiversity in areas beyond maritime boundaries of Pacific Island Countries.
With the negotiations progressing now at an advanced stage with only two sessions of the Intergovernmental Conference remaining, a lot rests on the representatives negotiating this new treaty.
Along with science, traditional Knowledge is also identified as an important tool that will be used during the meeting.
PIFS Director Policy Paki Ormsby says the negotiations need to be inclusive moving forward, and to ensure the proposed new instrument is empowered to improve the overall governance of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction.
The three days meeting will end on Friday.
Published: Fiji TV
