The session is being held between 15 and 26 August 2022 at the UN headquarters in New York. The negotiations focus on marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, which represent the majority of world oceans. The treaty is set to regulate the protection of biodiversity in these areas, mostly through marine protected areas and area-based management tools and the assessment of the impact of human activity. In addition, it aims to regulate access to marine genetic resources and a fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilisation thereof.

EU Member States authorised the European Commission to negotiate on their behalf, but the negotiation positions are constantly coordinated between Member States beforehand. Committed to solving global challenges through multilateralism, Slovenia supports the efforts to conclude the negotiations as soon as possible and conclude the treaty. Preserving the biological diversity of the oceans is crucial for the entire world, which is why Slovenia, as part of the EU, is in favour of the solutions proposed in the draft treaty, which ensure effective protection of key parts of the oceans and the protection of marine biodiversity. All the reports and forecasts by renowned international scientific bodies point to a sharp decline in marine biodiversity and the urgency to halt this negative trend, which is the aim of the proposed treaty.  Slovenia is also a staunch advocate of a fair distribution of benefits from the exploitation of biodiversity and conducting research, especially non-invasive, without any limitation.

During the negotiations, the EU and its Member States will strive to achieve an ambitious, effective, inclusive, fair, balanced and future-oriented treaty as soon as possible, to ensure the much-needed protection of marine biodiversity of global oceans.