Csaba?K?r?si, President of the 77th session of the General Assembly
—-
Intergovernmental Conference on an international legally binding instrument under the
UN Convention of the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction.
19 June 2023
(As delivered)
Madam Conference President,
Mr. Legal Adviser,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
Good morning to you all in New York.
Good afternoon, Europe and Africa.
Good evening in Asia and Australia.
It is a great day.
It is a great honour to share this joyful and momentous occasion with you today.
I express my sincere thanks to all Member States on the imminent ¨C and much anticipated ¨C adoption of the BBNJ Agreement.
This landmark achievement bears witness to your collective commitment to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
For its great contribution to this accomplishment, I express my heartfelt appreciation to the Office of the Legal Advisor, led by USG Miguel de Serpa Soares.
And, of course, let me acknowledge the remarkable Ambassador Rena Lee of Singapore, President of the Intergovernmental Conference, who captained our ship through this historic voyage.
Ambassador Lee¡¯s dedication and leadership is a shining example of the transformative power women bring to international processes.
Dear Friends,
The finalization of this Agreement is no small feat.
Over these last years, you recognized a common problem, you came together, you overcame your differences, and, together, you advanced transformative, sustainable solutions.
Solutions which are designed to protect our shared treasure ¨C the environment.
Solutions that are aligned with the 2030 Agenda, including SDG 14.
And as a result, we have a new tool.
It complements the pivotal decisions aiming at global transformation: the 2030 Agenda, the Addis Ababa Action Program, the Paris Agreement, the Sendai Framework, and the Kunming-Montreal Protocol.
Together, you laid the foundation for a better stewardship of our seas, ensuring their survival for generations to come.
Ultimately, you succeeded in crafting an agreement that testifies to the power of multilateralism.
Let me extend once again my heartfelt congratulations to all Member States for the strength and determination you have shown.??
Dear Friends,
Let¡¯s carry this momentum forward.
Let¡¯s continue working to protect our oceans, our planet, and all the people on it.
Thank you very much Madam President.