With a view to receiving the advice and consent of the Senate to ratification, I transmit herewith the Agreement 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 "Agreement"). I also transmit, for the information of the Senate, the report of the Department of State with respect to the Agreement.
The purpose of the Agreement is to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), often referred to as the high seas, which are under threat from a multitude of stressors. The high seas includes ocean areas beyond countries' 200-mile exclusive economic zones and covers about two-thirds of the global ocean.
The Agreement will create a mechanism to establish marine protected areas in ABNJ, a vital step in the global effort to conserve or protect at least 30 percent of the global ocean by 2030. It will create a system for the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from the use of marine genetic resources from ABNJ. The Agreement also includes provisions ensuring that Parties conduct rigorous environmental impact assessments for their activities in ABNJ and provisions on capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology related to the Agreement. The Agreement is key to supporting the sustainable use of marine resources, maintaining the integrity of ocean ecosystems, and conserving marine biological diversity. Implementation of the Agreement will respect the competences of and not undermine other international bodies and will require consultations with those organizations to enhance cooperation and coordination on the conservation and sustainable use of the marine resources of the high seas.
I believe joining the Agreement to be fully in the interest of the United States. I recommend that the Senate give early and favorable consideration to the Agreement and give its advice and consent to ratification.
JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.
THE WHITE HOUSE,
December 18, 2024.
