Statement from Non-Governmental Organizations Major Group on the Draft Decision on Oceans, submitted by Colombia as presented in the Committee of the Whole (COW)

This document records an intervention delivered on 21 February 2013 during the twenty-seventh session of the Governing Council, in the Committee of the Whole, concerning a draft decision on oceans submitted by Colombia. Speaking for the non-governmental organization Major Group, the speaker welcomes the draft while highlighting ongoing threats from human activities to the marine environment and biodiversity. The statement argues that regional seas conventions can contribute to conserving marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction and to understanding climate change impacts on oceans and seas.