Protection of Marine Biodiversity: The United Nations Contribution

The article explores the prospects for the development of the international legal framework aimed at protection and sustainable use of marine biodiversity, with the focus on strategic documents defining collective progress in its conservation. The paper assesses the UN’s contribution to the development and strengthening of biodiversity conservation policies. The author analyzes the resolutions adopted by the UN General Assembly aimed at increasing its sustainable use. Special attention is paid to the Global Framework Program in cooperation with the Sustainable Development Goals as defined in the UN 2030 Agenda. As an interim outcome, particular attention is given to the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea concerning the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. International cooperation in the field of environmental protection continues. Despite the growth of regional cooperation formats, the UN continues to serve as a key platform for interaction among States, reaffirming its role as a central coordinating mechanism for aligning the interests and actions of its Member States in pursuit of the goals set forth in the UN Charter, as outlined in the Concept of Foreign Policy of the Russian Federation. At the same time, with due regard to technological progress and the specification of resource-related obligations, our State asserts that new binding instruments should neither amend nor abrogate existing treaties, nor infringe upon the rights and obligations of States arising under such treaties.

1. Боброва Ю. В., Боржиа Ф. Проблемы международно-правового регулирования сохранения и устойчивого использования морского биоразнообразия в районах за пределами действия национальной юрисдикции // Журнал зарубежного законодательства и сравнительного правоведения. — 2022. — Т. 18. — № 3. — С. 37–47. — DOI: 10.12737/jflcl.2022.034.

2. Вылегжанин А. Н., Сотскова П. В. Сохранение морского биоразнообразия: актуальные международно-правовые вопросы // Журнал зарубежного законодательства и сравнительного правоведения. 2025. T. 21. — № 4. — С. 104–113. — DOI: 10.61205/S160565900032222-8.

3. Сотскова П. В. Международно-правовые вопросы сохранения морских генетических ресурсов // Московский журнал международного права. — 2023. — № 4. — С. 86–97. — DOI: 10.24833/0869-0049-2023-4-86-97.

4. Теймуров Э. С. Морской охраняемый район и иные зонально привязанные инструменты хозяйствования: международно-правовые проблемы // Lex russica. — 2021. — Т. 74. — № 7. — С. 95–110. — DOI: 10.17803/17295920.2021.176.7.095-110.

5. Tiller R., Mendenhall E. And so it begins — The adoption of the «Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction» treaty // Marine Policy. — 2023. — Vol. 157.