Mr. Chairman,

- I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agenda item 7 regarding the consideration of environmental impact assessments (EIAs).

- The Group of 77 and China is of the view that the Environmental Impact Assessments (or EIAs) is one of the important process which is necessary to give effect to the purpose of this new instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction. The legal basis for EIAs can be drawn from the provisions in the UNCLOS, especially Article 206 regarding the assessment of potential effects of activities.

- Furthermore, the new instrument needs to develop the definition of EIAs as well as define related obligations.

Mr. Chairman,

- The Group of 77 and China is of the view that the objective of such process is intrinsically of preventive nature, thus there is a need to reflect on the different aspects of assessment such as the nature of activities, the nature of impact, whether it is cumulative impact or transboundary environmental impact as well as the threshold that triggers the need to proceed with EIAs.

- Finally, in order to optimize the conduct of EIAs process, due consideration must be given to the need of consultation with all stakeholders. All the process should be conducted in a transparent manner.

- I thank you, Mr. Chairman.