Side Event

Protecting the central Arctic Ocean: the need for action

Organizer
Greenpeace International

Date and Time
10 October 2014 18:15 - 19:45

Meeting
Twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity

Arctic biodiversity is facing unprecedented challenges due to rapid ongoing climate change. The Arctic region is currently significantly under-represented in marine protection, leaving this unique Arctic environment and its fragile ecosystems and biodiversity exposed to the threats of industrial activity. In a recent Arctic regional workshop, new Ecologically or Biologically Significant Areas were identified. These areas cover significant proportions of the international waters around the North Pole. Protecting those areas as an Arctic Sanctuary has been recently proposed by the government of Finland, the European Parliament, and in an International Declaration on the Future of the Arctic signed by more than 500 leaders and influencers around the world. In this seminar, scientists and policymakers will discuss the contribution that an Arctic Sanctuary would make to achieving the goals of the Convention on Biological Diversity. We will also discuss the potential role and opportunities provided by international co-operation within the Convention on Biological Diversity as well as elsewhere.