Governing the High Seas: Marine Genetic Resources in Areas beyond National Jurisdiction

Image: Unsplash, Marykehl
Image: Unsplash, Marykehl

Marine genetic resources hold significant potential for a range of commercial applications.

Appropriate institutional and regulatory mechanisms for these resources are needed as part of a broader effort to support the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological resources, both within and beyond the national jurisdiction of states. To this end, and for well over a decade, the UN General Assembly has been working towards creating an international legally binding instrument under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. This policy insights paper assesses the progress made to date in establishing a governance regime for marine genetic resources in areas beyond national jurisdiction, with a particular focus on developing country perspectives.

The views expressed in this publication/article are those of the author/s and do not necessarily reflect the views of the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA).

30 Aug 2017