OO. 12.3 Enhance synergies between CBD and the bodies of the Antarctic Treaty System and UNCLOS

Biodiversity is a key issue in the Antarctic region. The Antarctic's biodiversity is of unique value due to its relatively pristine state, with its high rate of endemic species with a highly adapted character. The Antarctic Treaty area is of particular interest due to the high level of scientific cooperation between countries.

Biodiversity in the high seas and Antarctica needs to be protected through the establishment of marine protected areas beyond national jurisdiction, which should become key elements of a global representative network of MPAs³⁶. Furthermore, climate change, increased tourism and unregulated bioprospection³⁷ activities in the marine and terrestrial parts of Antarctica are creating rising concern.

Those issues need to be addressed in a coherent and coordinated way within the CBD, UNCLOS and the bodies of the Antarctic Treaty System (Committee for Environmental Protection, Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources - CCAMLR), in particular regarding marine protected areas and ABS. Particular attention will also be devoted to human impacts on cetacean populations in the Antarctic region and to, in this regard, the work of the International Whaling Commission