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Editorial Note

国家管辖范围以外区域海洋生物多样性的养护,是1982年《联合国海洋法公约》(以下简称“《公约》”)所倡导的海洋环境保护的一项重要课题。多年来,包括各国政府、非政府组织和学术界在内的国际社会对此展开了广泛、深入和持续的探讨,联合国特设机构也组织了多次政府间谈判,以期获得协调一致及合作的方式处理全球海洋生物多样性和海洋生态系统问题。在2023年2至3月间由联合国所组织的BBNJ政府间谈判第五届会议续会中,包括中国在内的各国就《〈联合国海洋法公约〉下国家管辖范围以外区域海洋生物多样性的养护和可持续利用协定》(以下简称“《BBNJ协定》”)达成一致,这是全球海洋治理多边主义的巨大成功,标志着BBNJ的保护、开发与合作进入了国际法治时代,将对国际海洋秩序产生重大积极的影响。

The conservation of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction(BBNJ)is a significant focal point in the realm of marine environment protection as advocated by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea(UNCLOS).The many years that have passed have witnessed a wide-ranging,in-depth,and ongoing discourse unfolding around this issue within the international community,involving governments,non-governmental organizations(NGOs),and the academic sphere.Specialized Agencies of the United Nations have also organized numerous intergovernmental negotiations,aiming to foster a coordinated and cooperative approach towards addressing global issues related to marine biodiversity and marine ecosystems.During the resumed 5th session of the Intergovernmental Conference on BBNJ,held by the United Nations in February-March 2023,States,including China,reached a consensus on the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction(hereinafter“BBNJ Agreement”).This represents a significant triumph for multilateralism in global ocean governance,signifying the advent of an era of international rule of law for the conservation,development,and cooperation regarding BBNJ.This milestone is expected to exert a profoundly positive impact on the international maritime order.