Development of an international legally binding instrument under UNCLOS on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MR. LUIS OñA GARCéS, SECOND SECRETARY OF THE PERMANENT MISSION OF ECUADOR, AT THE 4TH PREPCOM ESTABLISHED BY GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION 69/292: DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTERNATIONAL LEGALLY BINDING INSTRUMENT UNDER UNCLOS ON THE CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE USE OF MARINE BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY OF AREAS BEYOND NATIONAL JURISDICTION (New York, 17 July 2017)

(Original version)

Mr. Chair,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

At the outset, the Group would like to thank you, your team and the Facilitators for the hard work made during this weekend in the preparation of the revised Chair's Indicative Suggestions.

On the preliminary basis, the Group of 77 and China welcomes the revised Chair's Indicative Suggestions. We believe that the new document reflects the discussions held during the first week of the preparatory committee in a fair manner, we are generally comfortable with it, and the Group is of the view that it provides a balanced basis to continue with our dialogue.

Mr. Chair,

The Group of 77 and China, 134 Member States, would like to reiterate the importance of the principle of the common heritage of mankind for us. We see the mentioning of this principle in the new instrument as something natural as it is enshrined in UNCLOS. However, for the sake of not altering the balance of the document, the Group of 77 and China would like to put this delicate matter in your hands. We are of the view that you will be able to accommodate and deal properly with this issue in a way that would not jeopardize the momentum of concluding successfully with our work in order to move forward to the IGC.

The Group of 77 and China would like to reiterate its confidence in your able leadership and guidance in conducting the second week of this PrepCom. We would like to assure you our full support and disposition to constructively engage in productive discussions.

I thank you.