Interactive conference on high seas
“Rendez-vous in New-York” is a participative conference and a unique citizen’s encounter around a hot topic on the international scene: the governance of the high seas and the protection of its biodiversity.
BBNJ, What’s that?
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea was first signed in 1982 in Montego Bay. It sets out the principles for the governance of the ocean. The high seas, i.e. the 64% of the world ocean surface that are located beyond the areas under the jurisdiction of coastal States (EEZ), were left to the principle of freedom and responsibility of each individual. Today, human activities, as well as climate change, are affecting the ecosystems of the high seas, calling for protective actions. For the first time in 1987, the General Assembly decided to open negotiations for the establishment of a treaty to complement the Montego Bay Convention in order to protect biodiversity on the high seas. This is known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) treaty. Opened in 1988, this negotiation should conclude with the adoption of a treaty during the next session to be held in New York from 7 to 18 March 2022. Between a minor treaty and an ambitious treaty, many topics are the subject of bitter debates. We will debate and you will vote!
Echoing the official discussions
In connection with the One Ocean Summit, an international summit dedicated to the preservation of the oceans that will be held in Brest from February 9 to 11, 2021, the conference will take place in the One Ocean Summit Pavilion organized by Océanopolis. The official program of the summit includes a workshop on ocean governance on Wednesday morning (from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm – available here), which will some ideas for the future participants! The summit Heads of State (February 11) will make commitments for a strengthened governance of the ocean.
An interactive one hour and a half experience
“Rendez-vous in New-York” is a one and a half hour mediation experience, to raise awareness and to open up to the issues of biodiversity protection in the deep and the high seas, as they are currently negotiated at the UN in the framework of BBNJ.
Between political speeches and advocacy, the experts of the subject will try to convince you of the merits of their position. What will be YOUR opinion?
A fun way to participate
Thanks to an original entertaining device, you will be able to express your opinion live on real international governance issues. The speakers will feed you with their knowledge, their experiences, their stories and their questions to allow you to explore the different scenarios of protection and exploitation of the ocean that will be submitted to the vote. A real-time display will allow you to see what the room thinks!
This convivial event will be followed by a cocktail open to all participants.
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- Date: Thursday, February 10 at 6:30 pm
- Free event, on registration (limited number of places) and on presentation of the health pass
- Organizers: University of Western Brittany, French Facility for Global Environment, French Office for Biodiversity, Océanopolis, Association Infusion
- Contact us: team@ocean-univ.fr
- Access: Océanopolis, Moulin Blanc marina, 29200 Brest
