Decreto n.º 7/2025 — Aprova o Acordo no âmbito da Convenção das Nações Unidas sobre o Direito do Mar relativo à conservação e utilização…

3 - In giving effect to this Part, Parties shall give full recognition to the special requirements of developing States Parties, in particular the least developed countries, landlocked developing countries, geographically disadvantaged States, small island developing States, coastal African States, archipelagic States and developing middle- income countries. Parties shall ensure that the provision of capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology is not conditional on onerous reporting requirements.

Article 42

Modalities for capacity-building and for the transfer of marine technology

1 - Parties, within their capabilities, shall ensure capacity-building for developing States Parties and shall cooperate to achieve the transfer of marine technology, in particular to developing States Parties that need and request it, taking into account the special circumstances of small island developing States and of least developed countries, in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

2 - Parties shall provide, within their capabilities, resources to support such capacity-building and the development and transfer of marine technology and to facilitate access to other sources of support, taking into account their national policies, priorities, plans and programmes.

3 - Capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology should be a country- driven, transparent, effective and iterative process that is participatory, cross-cutting and gender-responsive. It shall build upon, as appropriate, and not duplicate existing programmes and be guided by lessons learned, including those from capacity-building and transfer of marine technology activities under relevant legal instruments and frameworks and relevant global, regional, subregional and sectoral bodies. Insofar as possible, it shall take into account these activities with a view to maximizing efficiency and results.

4 - Capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology shall be based on and be responsive to the needs and priorities of developing States Parties, taking into account the special circumstances of small island developing States and of least developed countries, identified through needs assessments on an individual case-by- case, subregional or regional basis. Such needs and priorities may be self-assessed or facilitated through the capacity-building and transfer of marine technology committee and the Clearing-House Mechanism.

Article 43

Additional modalities for the transfer of marine technology

1 - Parties share a long-term vision of the importance of fully realizing technology development and transfer for inclusive, equitable and effective cooperation and participation in the activities undertaken under this Agreement and in order to fully achieve its objectives.

2 - The transfer of marine technology undertaken under this Agreement shall take place on fair and most favourable terms, including on concessional and preferential terms, and in accordance with mutually agreed terms and conditions as well as the objectives of this Agreement.

3 - Parties shall promote and encourage economic and legal conditions for the transfer of marine technology to developing States Parties, taking into account the special circumstances of small island developing States and of least developed countries, which may include providing incentives to enterprises and institutions.

4 - The transfer of marine technology shall take into account all rights over such technologies and be carried out with due regard for all legitimate interests, including, inter alia, the rights and duties of holders, suppliers and recipients of marine technology and taking into particular consideration the interests and needs of developing States for the attainment of the objectives of this Agreement.

5 - Marine technology transferred pursuant to this Part shall be appropriate, relevant and, to the extent possible, reliable, affordable, up to date, environmentally sound and available in an accessible form for developing States Parties, taking into account the special circumstances of small island developing States and of least developed countries.

Article 44

Types of capacity-building and of the transfer of marine technology

1 - In support of the objectives set out in article 40, the types of capacity-building and of the transfer of marine technology may include, but are not limited to, support for the creation or enhancement of the human, financial management, scientific, technological, organizational, institutional and other resource capabilities of Parties, such as:

(a) The sharing and use of relevant data, information, knowledge and research results;

(b) Information dissemination and awareness-raising, including with respect to relevant traditional knowledge of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, in line with the free, prior and informed consent of these Indigenous Peoples and, as appropriate, local communities;

(c) The development and strengthening of relevant infrastructure, including equipment and capacity of personnel for its use and maintenance;

(d) The development and strengthening of institutional capacity and national regulatory frameworks or mechanisms;

(e) The development and strengthening of human and financial management resource capabilities and of technical expertise through exchanges, research collaboration, technical support, education and training and the transfer of marine technology;

(f) The development and sharing of manuals, guidelines and standards;

(g) The development of technical, scientific and research and development programmes;

(h) The development and strengthening of capacities and technological tools for effective monitoring, control and surveillance of activities within the scope of this Agreement.

2 - Further details concerning the types of capacity-building and of the transfer of marine technology identified in this article are elaborated in Annex II.

3 - The Conference of the Parties, taking account of the recommendations of the capacity-building and transfer of marine technology committee, shall periodically, as necessary, review, assess and further develop and provide guidance on the indicative and non-exhaustive list of types of capacity-building and of transfer of marine technology elaborated in Annex II, to reflect technological progress and innovation and to respond and adapt to the evolving needs of States, subregions and regions.

Article 45

Monitoring and review

1 - Capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology undertaken in accordance with the provisions of this Part shall be monitored and reviewed periodically.

2 - The monitoring and review referred to in paragraph 1 above shall be carried out by the capacity-building and transfer of marine technology committee under the authority of the Conference of the Parties and shall be aimed at:

(a) Assessing and reviewing the needs and priorities of developing States Parties in terms of capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology, paying particular attention to the special requirements of developing States Parties and to the special circumstances of small island developing States and of least developed countries, in accordance with article 42, paragraph 4;

(b) Reviewing the support required, provided and mobilized, as well as gaps in meeting the assessed needs of developing States Parties in relation to this Agreement;

(c) Identifying and mobilizing funds under the financial mechanism established under article 52 to develop and implement capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology, including for the conduct of needs assessments;

(d) Measuring performance on the basis of agreed indicators and reviewing results-based analyses, including on the output, outcomes, progress and effectiveness of capacity-building and transfer of marine technology under this Agreement, as well as successes and challenges;

(e) Making recommendations for follow-up activities, including on how capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology could be further enhanced to allow developing States Parties, taking into account the special circumstances of small island developing States and of least developed countries, to strengthen their implementation of the Agreement in order to achieve its objectives.

3 - In supporting the monitoring and review of capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology, Parties shall submit reports to the capacity-building and transfer of marine technology committee. Those reports should be in a format and at intervals to be determined by the Conference of the Parties, taking into account the recommendations of the capacity-building and transfer of marine technology committee. In submitting their reports, Parties shall take into account, where applicable, input from regional and subregional bodies on capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology. The reports submitted by Parties, as well as any input from regional and subregional bodies on capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology, should be made publicly available. The Conference of the Parties shall ensure that reporting requirements should be streamlined and not onerous, in particular for developing States Parties, including in terms of costs and time requirements.

Article 46

Capacity-building and transfer of marine technology committee

1 - A capacity-building and transfer of marine technology committee is hereby established.

2 - The committee shall consist of members possessing appropriate qualifications and expertise, to serve objectively in the best interest of the Agreement, nominated by Parties and elected by the Conference of the Parties, taking into account gender balance and equitable geographical distribution and providing for representation on the committee from the least developed countries, from the small island developing States and from the landlocked developing countries. The terms of reference and modalities for the operation of the committee shall be decided by the Conference of the Parties at its first meeting.

3 - The committee shall submit reports and recommendations that the Conference of the Parties shall consider and take action on as appropriate.

PART VI

INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS

Article 47

Conference of the Parties

1 - A Conference of the Parties is hereby established.

2 - The first meeting of the Conference of the Parties shall be convened by the Secretary-General of the United Nations no later than one year after the entry into force of this Agreement. Thereafter, ordinary meetings of the Conference of the Parties shall be held at regular intervals to be determined by the Conference of the Parties. Extraordinary meetings of the Conference of the Parties may be held at other times, in accordance with the rules of procedure.

3 - The Conference of the Parties shall ordinarily meet at the seat of the secretariat or at United Nations Headquarters.

4 - The Conference of the Parties shall by consensus adopt, at its first meeting, rules of procedure for itself and its subsidiary bodies, financial rules governing its funding and the funding of the secretariat and any subsidiary bodies and, thereafter, rules of procedure and financial rules for any further subsidiary body that it may establish. Until such time as the rules of procedure have been adopted, the rules of procedure of the intergovernmental conference on an international legally binding instrument 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 shall apply.

5 - The Conference of the Parties shall make every effort to adopt decisions and recommendations by consensus. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, if all efforts to reach consensus have been exhausted, decisions and recommendations of the Conference of the Parties on questions of substance shall be adopted by a two- thirds majority of the Parties present and voting, and decisions on questions of procedure shall be adopted by a majority of the Parties present and voting.

6 - The Conference of the Parties shall keep under review and evaluation the implementation of this Agreement and, for this purpose, shall:

(a) Adopt decisions and recommendations related to the implementation of this Agreement;

(b) Review and facilitate the exchange of information among Parties relevant to the implementation of this Agreement;

(c) Promote, including by establishing appropriate processes, cooperation and coordination with and among relevant legal instruments and frameworks and relevant global, regional, subregional and sectoral bodies, with a view to promoting coherence among efforts towards the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction;

(d) Establish such subsidiary bodies as deemed necessary to support the implementation of this Agreement;

(e) Adopt a budget by a three-fourths majority of the Parties present and voting if all efforts to reach consensus have been exhausted, at such frequency and for such a financial period as it may determine;

(f) Undertake other functions identified in this Agreement or as may be required for its implementation.

7 - The Conference of the Parties may decide to request the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea to give an advisory opinion on a legal question on the conformity with this Agreement of a proposal before the Conference of the Parties on any matter within its competence. A request for an advisory opinion shall not be sought on a matter within the competences of other global, regional, subregional or sectoral bodies, or on a matter that necessarily involves the concurrent consideration of any dispute concerning sovereignty or other rights over continental or insular land territory or a claim thereto, or the legal status of an area as within national jurisdiction. The request shall indicate the scope of the legal question on which the advisory opinion is sought. The Conference of the Parties may request that such opinion be given as a matter of urgency.

8 - The Conference of the Parties shall, within five years of the entry into force of this Agreement and thereafter at intervals to be determined by it, assess and review the adequacy and effectiveness of the provisions of this Agreement and, if necessary, propose means of strengthening the implementation of those provisions in order to better address the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction.

Article 48

Transparency

1 - The Conference of the Parties shall promote transparency in decision-making processes and other activities carried out under this Agreement.

2 - All meetings of the Conference of the Parties and its subsidiary bodies shall be open to observers participating in accordance with the rules of procedure unless otherwise decided by the Conference of the Parties. The Conference of the Parties shall publish and maintain a public record of its decisions.

3 - The Conference of the Parties shall promote transparency in the implementation of this Agreement, including through the public dissemination of information and the facilitation of the participation of, and consultation with, relevant global, regional, subregional and sectoral bodies, Indigenous Peoples and local communities with relevant traditional knowledge, the scientific community, civil society and other relevant stakeholders, as appropriate and in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

4 - Representatives of States not party to this Agreement, relevant global, regional, subregional and sectoral bodies, Indigenous Peoples and local communities with relevant traditional knowledge, the scientific community, civil society and other relevant stakeholders with an interest in matters pertaining to the Conference of the Parties may request to participate as observers in the meetings of the Conference of the Parties and of its subsidiary bodies. The rules of procedure of the Conference of the Parties shall provide for modalities for such participation and shall not be unduly restrictive in this respect. The rules of procedure shall also provide for such representatives to have timely access to all relevant information.

Article 49

Scientific and Technical Body

1 - A Scientific and Technical Body is hereby established.

2 - The Scientific and Technical Body shall be composed of members serving in their expert capacity and in the best interest of the Agreement, nominated by Parties and elected by the Conference of the Parties, with suitable qualifications, takin g into account the need for multidisciplinary expertise, including relevant scientific and technical expertise and expertise in relevant traditional knowledge of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, gender balance and equitable geographical representation. The terms of reference and modalities for the operation of the Scientific and Technical Body, including its selection process and the terms of members’ mandates, shall be determined by the Conference of the Parties at its first meeting.

3 - The Scientific and Technical Body may draw on appropriate advice emanating from relevant legal instruments and frameworks and relevant global, regional, subregional and sectoral bodies, as well as from other scientists and experts, as may be required.

4 - Under the authority and guidance of the Conference of the Parties, and taking into account the multidisciplinary expertise referenced in paragraph 2 above, the Scientific and Technical Body shall provide scientific and technical advice to the Conference of the Parties, perform the functions assigned to it under this Agreement and such other functions as may be determined by the Conference of the Parties and provide reports to the Conference of the Parties on its work.

Article 50

Secretariat

1 - A secretariat is hereby established. The Conference of the Parties, at its first meeting, shall make arrangements for the functioning of the secretariat, including deciding on its seat.

2 - Until such time as the secretariat commences its functions, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, through the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea of the Office of Legal Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat, shall perform the secretariat functions under this Agreement.

3 - The secretariat and the host State may conclude a headquarters agreement. The secretariat shall enjoy legal capacity in the territory of the host State and be granted such privileges and immunities by the host State as are necessary for the exercise of its functions.

4 - The secretariat shall:

(a) Provide administrative and logistical support to the Conference of the Parties and its subsidiary bodies for the purposes of the implementation of this Agreement;

(b) Arrange and service the meetings of the Conference of the Parties and of any other bodies as may be established under this Agreement or by the Conference of the Parties;

(c) Circulate information relating to the implementation of this Agreement in a timely manner, including making decisions of the Conference of the Parties publicly available and transmitting them to all Parties, as well as to relevant legal instruments and frameworks and relevant global, regional, subregional and sectoral bodies;

(d) Facilitate cooperation and coordination, as appropriate, with the secretariats of other relevant international bodies and, in particular, enter into such administrative and contractual arrangements as may be required for that purpose and for the effective discharge of its functions, subject to approval by the Conference of the Parties;

(e) Prepare reports on the execution of its functions under this Agreement and submit them to the Conference of the Parties;

(f) Provide assistance with the implementation of this Agreement and perform such other functions as may be determined by the Conference of the Parties or assigned to it under this Agreement.

Article 51

Clearing-House Mechanism

1 - A Clearing-House Mechanism is hereby established.

2 - The Clearing-House Mechanism shall consist primarily of an open-access platform. The specific modalities for the operation of the Clearing-House Mechanism shall be determined by the Conference of the Parties.

3 - The Clearing-House Mechanism shall:

(a) Serve as a centralized platform to enable Parties to access, provide and disseminate information with respect to activities taking place pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, including information relating to:

(i) Marine genetic resources of areas beyond national jurisdiction, as set out in Part II of this Agreement;

(ii) The establishment and implementation of area-based management tools, including marine protected areas;

(iii) Environmental impact assessments;

(iv) Requests for capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology and opportunities with respect thereto, including research collaboration and training opportunities, information on sources and availability of technological information and data for the transfer of marine technology, opportunities for facilitated access to marine technology and the availability of funding;

(b) Facilitate the matching of capacity-building needs with the support available and with providers for the transfer of marine technology, including governmental, non-governmental or private entities interested in participating as donors in the transfer of marine technology, and facilitate access to related know-how and expertise;

(c) Provide links to relevant global, regional, subregional, national and sectoral clearing-house mechanisms and other gene banks, repositories and databases, including those pertaining to relevant traditional knowledge of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, and promote, where possible, links with publicly available private and non-governmental platforms for the exchange of information;

(d) Build on global, regional and subregional clearing-house institutions, where applicable, when establishing regional and subregional mechanisms under the global mechanism;

(e) Foster enhanced transparency, including by facilitating the sharing of environmental baseline data and information relating to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction between Parties and other relevant stakeholders;

(f) Facilitate international cooperation and collaboration, including scientific and technical cooperation and collaboration;

(g) Perform such other functions as may be determined by the Conference of the Parties or assigned to it under this Agreement.

4 - The Clearing-House Mechanism shall be managed by the secretariat, without prejudice to possible cooperation with other relevant legal instruments and frameworks and relevant global, regional, subregional and sectoral bodies as determined by the Conference of the Parties, including the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the International Seabed Authority, the International Maritime Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

5 - In the management of the Clearing-House Mechanism, full recognition shall be given to the special requirements of developing States Parties, as well as the special circumstances of small island developing States Parties, and their access to the mechanism shall be facilitated to enable those States to utilize it without undue obstacles or administrative burdens. Information shall be included on activities to promote information-sharing, awareness-raising and dissemination in and with those States, as well as to provide specific programmes for those States.

6 - The confidentiality of information provided under this Agreement and rights thereto shall be respected. Nothing under this Agreement shall be interpreted as requiring the sharing of information that is protected from disclosure under the domestic law of a Party or other applicable law.

PART VII

FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND MECHANISM

Article 52

Funding

1 - Each Party shall provide, within its capabilities, resources in respect of those activities that are intended to achieve the objectives of this Agreement, taking into account its national policies, priorities, plans and programmes.

2 - The institutions established under this Agreement shall be funded through assessed contributions of the Parties.

3 - A mechanism for the provision of adequate, accessible, new and additional and predictable financial resources under this Agreement is hereby established. The mechanism shall assist developing States Parties in implementing this Agreement, including through funding in support of capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology, and perform other functions as set out in this article for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity.

4 - The mechanism shall include:

(a) A voluntary trust fund established by the Conference of the Parties to facilitate the participation of representatives of developing States Parties, in particular least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States, in the meetings of the bodies established under this Agreement;

(b) A special fund that shall be funded through the following sources:

(i) Annual contributions in accordance with article 14, paragraph 6;

(ii) Payments in accordance with article 14, paragraph 7;

(iii) Additional contributions from Parties and private entities wishing to provide financial resources to support the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction;

(c) The Global Environment Facility trust fund.

5 - The Conference of the Parties may consider the possibility of establishing additional funds, as part of the financial mechanism, to support the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, to finance rehabilitation and ecological restoration of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction.

6 - The special fund and the Global Environment Facility trust fund shall be utilized in order to:

(a) Fund capacity-building projects under this Agreement, including effective projects on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity and activities and programmes, including training related to the transfer of marine technology;

(b) Assist developing States Parties in implementing this Agreement;

(c) Support conservation and sustainable use programmes by Indigenous Peoples and local communities as holders of traditional knowledge;

(d) Support public consultations at the national, subregional and regional levels;

(e) Fund the undertaking of any other activities as decided by the Conference of the Parties.

7 - The financial mechanism should seek to ensure that duplication is avoided, and complementarity and coherence promoted, among the utilization of the funds within the mechanism.

8 - Financial resources mobilized in support of the implementation of this Agreement may include funding provided through public and private sources, both national and international, including, but not limited to, contributions from States, international financial institutions, existing funding mechanisms under global and regional instruments, donor agencies, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations and natural and juridical persons, and through public-private partnerships.

9 - For the purposes of this Agreement, the mechanism shall function under the authority, where appropriate, and guidance of the Conference of the Parties and shall be accountable thereto. The Conference of the Parties shall provide guidance on overall strategies, policies, programme priorities and eligibility for access to and utilization of financial resources.

10 - The Conference of the Parties and the Global Environment Facility shall agree upon arrangements to give effect to the above paragraphs at the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties.

11 - In recognition of the urgency to address the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, the Conference of the Parties shall determine an initial resource mobilization goal through 2030 for the special fund from all sources, taking into account, inter alia, the institutional modalities of the special fund and the information provided through the capacity - building and transfer of marine technology committee.

12 - Eligibility for access to funding under this Agreement shall be open to developing States Parties on the basis of need. Funding under the special fund shall be distributed according to equitable sharing criteria, taking into account the needs for assistance of Parties with special requirements, in particular the least developed countries, landlocked developing countries, geographically disadvantaged States, small island developing States and coastal African States, archipelagic States and developing middle-income countries, and taking into account the special circumstances of small island developing States and of least developed countries. The special fund shall be aimed at ensuring efficient access to funding through simplified application and approval procedures and enhanced readiness of support for such developing States Parties.

13 - In the light of capacity constraints, Parties shall encourage international organizations to grant preferential treatment to, and consider the specific needs and special requirements of developing States Parties, in particular the least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States, and taking into account the special circumstances of small island developing States and of least developed countries, in the allocation of appropriate funds and technical assistance and the utilization of their specialized services for the purposes of the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction.

14 - The Conference of the Parties shall establish a finance committee on financial resources. It shall be composed of members possessing appropriate qualifications and expertise, taking into account gender balance and equitable geographical distribution. The terms of reference and modalities for the operation of the committee shall be decided by the Conference of the Parties. The committee shall periodically report and make recommendations on the identification and mobilization of funds under the mechanism. It shall also collect information and report on funding under other mechanisms and instruments contributing directly or indirectly to the achievement of the objectives of this Agreement. In addition to the considerations provided in this article, the committee shall consider, inter alia:

(a) The assessment of the needs of the Parties, in particular developing States Parties;

(b) The availability and timely disbursement of funds;

(c) The transparency of decision-making and management processes concerning fundraising and allocations;

(d) The accountability of the recipient developing States Parties with respect to the agreed use of funds.

15 - The Conference of the Parties shall consider the reports and recommendations of the finance committee and take appropriate action.

16 - The Conference of the Parties shall, in addition, undertake a periodic review of the financial mechanism to assess the adequacy, effectiveness and accessibility of financial resources, including for the delivery of capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology, in particular for developing States Parties.

PART VIII

IMPLEMENTATION AND COMPLIANCE

Article 53

Implementation

Parties shall take the necessary legislative, administrative or policy measures, as appropriate, to ensure the implementation of this Agreement.

Article 54

Monitoring of implementation

Each Party shall monitor the implementation of its obligations under this Agreement and shall, in a format and at intervals to be determined by the Conference of the Parties, report to the Conference on measures that it has taken to implement this Agreement.

Article 55

Implementation and Compliance Committee

1 - An Implementation and Compliance Committee to facilitate and consider the implementation of and promote compliance with the provisions of this Agreement is hereby established. The Implementation and Compliance Committee shall be facilitative in nature and function in a manner that is transparent, non-adversarial and non-punitive.

2 - The Implementation and Compliance Committee shall consist of members possessing appropriate qualifications and experience nominated by Parties and elected by the Conference of the Parties, with due consideration given to gender balance and equitable geographical representation.

3 - The Implementation and Compliance Committee shall operate under the modalities and rules of procedure adopted by the Conference of the Parties at its first meeting. The Implementation and Compliance Committee shall consider issues of implementation and compliance at the individual and systemic levels, inter alia, and report periodically and make recommendations, as appropriate while cognizant of respective national circumstances, to the Conference of the Parties.

4 - In the course of its work, the Implementation and Compliance Committee may draw on appropriate information from bodies established under this Agreement, as well as relevant legal instruments and frameworks and relevant global, regional, subregional and sectoral bodies, as may be required.

PART IX

SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES

Article 56

Prevention of disputes

Parties shall cooperate in order to prevent disputes.

Article 57

Obligation to settle disputes by peaceful means

Parties have the obligation to settle their disputes concerning the interpretation or application of this Agreement by negotiation, inquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement, resort to regional agencies or arrangements, or other peaceful means of their own choice.

Article 58

Settlement of disputes by any peaceful means chosen by the Parties

Nothing in this Part impairs the right of any Party to this Agreement to agree at any time to settle a dispute between them concerning the interpretation or application of this Agreement by any peaceful means of their own choice.

Article 59

Disputes of a technical nature

Where a dispute concerns a matter of a technical nature, the Parties concerned may refer the dispute to an ad hoc expert panel established by them. The panel shall confer with the Parties concerned and shall endeavour to resolve the dispute expeditiously without recourse to binding procedures for the settlement of disputes under article 60 of this Agreement.

Article 60

Procedures for the settlement of disputes

1 - Disputes concerning the interpretation or application of this Agreement shall be settled in accordance with the provisions for the settlement of disputes provided for in Part XV of the Convention.

2 - The provisions of Part XV of and Annexes V, VI, VII and VIII to the Convention shall be deemed to be replicated for the purpose of the settlement of disputes involving a Party to this Agreement that is not a Party to the Convention.

3 - Any procedure accepted by a Party to this Agreement that is also a Party to the Convention pursuant to article 287 of the Convention shall apply to the sett lement of disputes under this Part, unless that Party, when signing, ratifying, approving, accepting or acceding to this Agreement, or at any time thereafter, has accepted another procedure pursuant to article 287 of the Convention for the settlement of disputes under this Part.

4 - Any declaration made by a Party to this Agreement that is also a Party to the Convention pursuant to article 298 of the Convention shall apply to the settlement of disputes under this Part, unless that Party, when signing, ratifying, approving, accepting or acceding to this Agreement, or at any time thereafter, has made a different declaration pursuant to article 298 of the Convention for the settlement of disputes under this Part.

5 - Pursuant to paragraph 2 above, a Party to this Agreement that is not a Party to the Convention, when signing, ratifying, approving, accepting or acceding to this Agreement, or at any time thereafter, shall be free to choose, by means of a written declaration, submitted to the depositary, one or more of the following means for the settlement of disputes concerning the interpretation or application of this Agreement:

(a) The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea;

(b) The International Court of Justice;

(c) An Annex VII arbitral tribunal;

(d) An Annex VIII special arbitral tribunal for one or more of the categories of disputes specified in said Annex.

6 - A Party to this Agreement that is not a Party to the Convention that has not issued a declaration shall be deemed to have accepted the option in paragraph 5 (c) above. If the parties to a dispute have accepted the same procedure for the settlement of the dispute, it may be submitted only to that procedure, unless the parties otherwise agree. If the parties to a dispute have not accepted the same procedure for the settlement of the dispute, it may be submitted only to arbitration under Annex VII to the Convention, unless the parties otherwise agree. Article 287, paragraphs 6 to 8, of the Convention shall apply to declarations made under paragraph 5 above.

7 - A Party to this Agreement that is not a Party to the Convention may, when signing, ratifying, approving, accepting or acceding to this Agreement, or at any time thereafter, without prejudice to the obligations arising under this Part, declare in writing that it does not accept any or more of the procedures provided for in Part XV, section 2, of the Convention with respect to one or more of the categories of disputes set out in article 298 of the Convention for the settlement of disputes under this Part. Article 298 of the Convention shall apply to such a declaration.

8 - The provisions of this article shall be without prejudice to the procedures on the settlement of disputes to which Parties have agreed as participants in a relevant legal instrument or framework, or as members of a relevant global, regional, subregional or sectoral body concerning the interpretation or application of such instruments and frameworks.

9 - Nothing in this Agreement shall be interpreted as conferring jurisdiction upon a court or tribunal over any dispute that concerns or necessarily involves the concurrent consideration of the legal status of an area as within national jurisdiction, nor over any dispute concerning sovereignty or other rights over continental or insular land territory or a claim thereto of a Party to this Agreement, provided that nothing in this paragraph shall be interpreted as limiting the jurisdiction of a court or tribunal under Part XV, section 2, of the Convention.

10 - For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Agreement shall be relied upon as a basis for asserting or denying any claims to sovereignty, sovereign rights or jurisdiction over land or maritime areas, including in respect to any disputes relating thereto.

Article 61

Provisional arrangements

Pending the settlement of a dispute in accordance with this Part, the parties to the dispute shall make every effort to enter into provisional arrangements of a practical nature.

PART X

NON-PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT

Article 62

Non-parties to this Agreement

Parties shall encourage non-parties to this Agreement to become Parties thereto and to adopt laws and regulations consistent with its provisions.

PART XI

GOOD FAITH AND ABUSE OF RIGHTS

Article 63

Good faith and abuse of rights

Parties shall fulfil in good faith the obligations assumed under this Agreement and exercise the rights recognized therein in a manner that would not constitute an abuse of right.

PART XII

FINAL PROVISIONS

Article 64

Right to vote

1 - Each Party to this Agreement shall have one vote, except as provided for in paragraph 2 below.

2 - A regional economic integration organization Party to this Agreement, on matters within its competence, shall exercise its right to vote with a numb er of votes equal to the number of its member States that are Parties to this Agreement. Such an organization shall not exercise its right to vote if any of its member States exercises its right to vote, and vice versa.

Article 65

Signature

This Agreement shall be open for signature by all States and regional economic integration organizations from 20 September 2023 and shall remain open for signature at United Nations Headquarters in New York until 20 September 2025.

Article 66

Ratification, approval, acceptance and accession

This Agreement shall be subject to ratification, approval or acceptance by States and regional economic integration organizations. It shall be open for accession by States and regional economic integration organizations from the day after the date on which the Agreement is closed for signature. Instruments of ratification, approval, acceptance and accession shall be deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Article 67

Division of the competence of regional economic integration organizations and their member States in respect of the matters governed by this Agreement

1 - Any regional economic integration organization that becomes a Party to this Agreement without any of its member States being a Party shall be bound by all the obligations under this Agreement. In the case of such organizations, one or more of whose member States is a Party to this Agreement, the organization and its member States shall decide on their respective responsibilities for the performance of their obligations under this Agreement. In such cases, the organization and the member States shall not be entitled to exercise rights under this Agreement concurrently.

2 - In its instrument of ratification, approval, acceptance or accession, a regional economic integration organization shall declare the extent of its competence in respect of the matters governed by this Agreement. Any such organization shall also inform the depositary, who shall in turn inform the Parties, of any relevant modification of the extent of its competence.

Article 68

Entry into force

1 - This Agreement shall enter into force 120 days after the date of deposit of the sixtieth instrument of ratification, approval, acceptance or accession.

2 - For each State or regional economic integration organization that ratifies, approves or accepts this Agreement or accedes thereto after the deposit of the sixtieth instrument of ratification, approval, acceptance or accession, this Agreement shall enter into force on the thirtieth day following the deposit of its instrument of ratification, approval, acceptance or accession, subject to paragraph 1 above.

3 - For the purposes of paragraphs 1 and 2 above, any instrument deposited by a regional economic integration organization shall not be counted as additional to those deposited by the member States of that organization.

Article 69

Provisional application

1 - This Agreement may be applied provisionally by a State or regional economic integration organization that consents to its provisional application by so notifying the depositary in writing at the time of signature or deposit of its instrument of ratification, approval, acceptance or accession. Such provisional application shall become effective from the date of receipt of the notification by the depositary.

2 - Provisional application by a State or regional economic integration organization shall terminate upon the entry into force of this Agreement for that State or regional economic integration organization or upon notification by that State or regional economic integration organization to the depositary in writing of its intention to terminate its provisional application.

Article 70

Reservations and exceptions

No reservations or exceptions may be made to this Agreement, unless expressly permitted by other articles of this Agreement.

Article 71

Declarations and statements

Article 70 does not preclude a State or regional economic integration organization, when signing, ratifying, approving, accepting or acceding to this Agreement, from making declarations or statements, however phrased or named, with a view, inter alia, to the harmonization of its laws and regulations with the provisions of this Agreement, provided that such declarations or statements do not purport to exclude or to modify the legal effect of the provisions of this Agreement in their application to that State or regional economic integration organization.

Article 72

Amendment

1 - A Party may, by written communication addressed to the secretariat, propose amendments to this Agreement. The secretariat shall circulate such a communication to all Parties. If, within six months from the date of the circulation of the communication, not less than one half of the Parties reply favourably to the request, the proposed amendment shall be considered at the following meeting of the Conference of the Parties.

2 - An amendment to this Agreement adopted in accordance with article 47 shall be communicated by the depositary to all Parties for ratification, approval or acceptance.

3 - Amendments to this Agreement shall enter into force for the Parties ratifying, approving or accepting them on the thirtieth day following the deposit of instruments of ratification, approval or acceptance by two thirds of the number of Parties to this Agreement as at the time of adoption of the amendment. Thereafter, for each Party depositing its instrument of ratification, approval or acceptance of an amendment after the deposit of the required number of such instruments, the amendment shall enter into force on the thirtieth day following the deposit of its instrument of ratification, approval or acceptance.

4 - An amendment may provide, at the time of its adoption, that a smaller or larger number of ratifications, approvals or acceptances shall be required for its entry into force than required under this article.

5 - For the purposes of paragraphs 3 and 4 above, any instrument deposited by a regional economic integration organization shall not be counted as additional to those deposited by the member States of that organization.

6 - A State or regional economic integration organization that becomes a Party to this Agreement after the entry into force of amendments in accordance with paragraph 3 above shall, failing an expression of a different intention by that State or regional economic integration organization:

(a) Be considered as a Party to this Agreement as so amended;

(b) Be considered as a Party to the unamended Agreement in relation to any Party not bound by the amendment.

Article 73

Denunciation

1 - A Party may, by written notification addressed to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, denounce this Agreement and may indicate its reasons. Failure to indicate reasons shall not affect the validity of the denunciation. The denunciation shall take effect one year after the date of receipt of the notification, unless the notification specifies a later date.

2 - The denunciation shall not in any way affect the duty of any Party to fulfil any obligation embodied in this Agreement to which it would be subject under international law independently of this Agreement.

Article 74

Annexes

1 - The annexes form an integral part of this Agreement and, unless expressly provided otherwise, a reference to this Agreement or to one of its parts includes a reference to the annexes relating thereto.

2 - The provisions of article 72 relating to the amendment of this Agreement shall also apply to the proposal, adoption and entry into force of a new annex to the Agreement.

3 - Any Party may propose an amendment to any annex to this Agreement for consideration at the next meeting of the Conference of the Parties. The annexes may be amended by the Conference of the Parties. Notwithstanding the provisions of article 72, the following provisions shall apply in relation to amendments to annexes to this Agreement:

(a) The text of the proposed amendment shall be communicated to the secretariat at least 150 days before the meeting. The secretariat shall, upon receiving the text of the proposed amendment, communicate it to the Parties. The secretariat shall consult relevant subsidiary bodies, as required, and shall communicate any response to all Parties not later than 30 days before the meeting;

(b) Amendments adopted at a meeting shall enter into force 180 days after the close of that meeting for all Parties, except those that make an objection in accordance with paragraph 4 below.

4 - During the period of 180 days provided for in paragraph 3 (b) above, any Party may, by notification in writing to the depositary, make an objection with respect to the amendment. Such objection may be withdrawn at any time by written notification to the depositary and, thereupon, the amendment to the annex shall enter into force for that Party on the thirtieth day after the date of withdrawal of the objection.

Article 75

Depositary

The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall be the depositary of this Agreement and any amendments or revisions thereto.

Article 76

Authentic texts

The Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish texts of this Agreement are equally authentic.

ANNEX I

Indicative criteria for identification of areas

(a) Uniqueness.

(b) Rarity.

(c) Special importance for the life history stages of species.

(d) Special importance of the species found therein.

(e) The importance for threatened, endangered or declining species or habitats.

(f) Vulnerability, including to climate change and ocean acidification.

(g) Fragility.

(h) Sensitivity.

(i) Biological diversity and productivity.

(j) Representativeness.

(k) Dependency.

(l) Naturalness.

(m) Ecological connectivity.

(n) Important ecological processes occurring therein.

(o) Economic and social factors.

(p) Cultural factors.

(q) Cumulative and transboundary impacts.

(r) Slow recovery and resilience.

(s) Adequacy and viability.

(t) Replication.

(u) Sustainability of reproduction.

(v) Existence of conservation and management measures.

ANNEX II

Types of capacity-building and of the transfer of marine technology

Under this Agreement, capacity-building and transfer of marine technology initiatives may include but are not limited to:

(a) The sharing of relevant data, information, knowledge and research, in user-friendly formats, including:

(i) The sharing of marine scientific and technological knowledge;

(ii) The exchange of information on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction;

(iii) The sharing of research and development results;

(b) Information dissemination and awareness-raising, including with regard to:

(i) Marine scientific research, marine sciences and related marine operations and services;

(ii) Environmental and biological information collected through research conducted in areas beyond national jurisdiction;

(iii) Relevant traditional knowledge in line with the free, prior and informed consent of the holders of such knowledge;

(iv) Stressors on the ocean that affect marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, including the adverse effects of climate change, such as warming and ocean deoxygenation, as well as ocean acidification;

(v) Measures such as area-based management tools, including marine protected areas;

(vi) Environmental impact assessments;

(c) The development and strengthening of relevant infrastructure, including equipment, such as:

(i) The development and establishment of necessary infrastructure;

(ii) The provision of technology, including sampling and methodology equipment (e. g., for water, geological, biological or chemical samples);

(iii) The acquisition of the equipment necessary to support and further develop research and development capabilities, including in data management, in the context of activities with respect to marine genetic resources and digital sequence information on marine genetic resources of areas beyond national jurisdiction, measures such as area-based management tools, including marine protected areas, and the conduct of environmental impact assessments;

(d) The development and strengthening of institutional capacity and national regulatory frameworks or mechanisms, including:

(i) Governance, policy and legal frameworks and mechanisms;

(ii) Assistance in the development, implementation and enforcement of national legislative, administrative or policy measures, including associated regulatory, scientific and technical requirements at the national, subregional or regional level;

(iii) Technical support for the implementation of the provisions of this Agreement, including for data monitoring and reporting;

(iv) Capacity to translate information and data into effective and efficient policies, including by facilitating access to and the acquisition of knowledge necessary to inform decision makers in developing States Parties;

(v) The establishment or strengthening of the institutional capacities of relevant national and regional organizations and institutions;

(vi) The establishment of national and regional scientific centres, including as data repositories;

(vii) The development of regional centres of excellence;

(viii) The development of regional centres for skills development;

(ix) Increasing cooperative links between regional institutions, for example, North-South and South-South collaboration and collaboration among regional seas organizations and regional fisheries management organizations;

(e) The development and strengthening of human and financial management resource capabilities and of technical expertise through exchanges, research collaboration, technical support, education and training and the transfer of marine technology, such as:

(i) Collaboration and cooperation in marine science, including through data collection, technical exchange, scientific research projects and programmes, and the development of joint scientific research projects in cooperation with institutions in developing States;

(ii) Education and training in:

a. The natural and social sciences, both basic and applied, to develop scientific and research capacity;

b. Technology, and the application of marine science and technology, to develop scientific and research capacities;

c. Policy and governance;

d. The relevance and application of traditional knowledge;

(iii) The exchange of experts, including experts on traditional knowledge;

(iv) The provision of funding for the development of human resources and technical expertise, including through:

a. The provision of scholarships or other grants for representatives of small island developing States Parties in workshops, training programmes or other relevant programmes to develop their specific capacities;

b. The provision of financial and technical expertise and resources, in particular for small island developing States, concerning environmental impact assessments;

(v) The establishment of a networking mechanism among trained human resources;

(f) The development and sharing of manuals, guidelines and standards, including:

(i) Criteria and reference materials;

(ii) Technology standards and rules;

(iii) A repository for manuals and relevant information to share knowledge and capacity on how to conduct environmental impact assessments, lessons learned and best practices;

(g) The development of technical, scientific and research and development programmes, including biotechnological research activities.

Acordo no âmbito da Convenção das Nações Unidas sobre o Direito do Mar relativo à conservação e utilização sustentável da diversidade biológica marinha das áreas além da jurisdição nacional

Preâmbulo

As Partes do presente Acordo:

Recordando as disposições relevantes da Convenção das Nações Unidas sobre o Direito do Mar, de 10 de dezembro de 1982, incluindo a obrigação de proteger e preservar o meio marinho;

Salientando a necessidade de respeitar o equilíbrio entre direitos, obrigações e interesses estabelecidos na Convenção;

Reconhecendo a necessidade de combater, de forma coerente e cooperativa, a perda da diversidade biológica e a degradação dos ecossistemas do oceano, devido, em particular, aos impactes das alterações climáticas sobre os ecossistemas marinhos, como o aquecimento e a desoxigenação do oceano, bem como a acidificação do oceano, a poluição, incluindo a poluição por plásticos, e a utilização não sustentável;

Conscientes da necessidade de um regime global abrangente no âmbito da Convenção para melhor enquadrar a conservação e utilização sustentável da diversidade biológica marinha das áreas além da jurisdição nacional;

Reconhecendo a importância de contribuir para uma ordem económica internacional justa e equitativa, que tenha em conta os interesses e necessidades da humanidade como um todo e, em particular, os interesses e necessidades especiais dos Estados em desenvolvimento, quer costeiros quer sem litoral;

Reconhecendo também que o apoio aos Estados Partes em desenvolvimento através da capacitação e do desenvolvimento e transferência de tecnologia marinha são elementos essenciais para a prossecução dos objetivos de conservação e utilização sustentável da diversidade biológica marinha das áreas além da jurisdição nacional;

Recordando a Declaração das Nações Unidas sobre os Direitos dos Povos Indígenas;

Afirmando que nenhuma disposição do presente Acordo deve ser interpretada como diminuição ou extinção dos direitos existentes dos Povos Indígenas, incluindo conforme estabelecido na Declaração das Nações Unidas sobre os Direitos dos Povos Indígenas, ou, quando apropriado, das comunidades locais;

Reconhecendo a obrigação estabelecida na Convenção de avaliar, na medida do possível, os efeitos potenciais para o meio marinho de atividades sob jurisdição ou controlo de um Estado, quando este tenha motivos razoáveis para acreditar que tais atividades podem causar poluição considerável do meio marinho ou nele provocar modificações significativas e prejudiciais;

Conscientes da obrigação estabelecida na Convenção de tomar todas as medidas necessárias para garantir que a poluição causada por incidentes ou atividades não se estenda além das áreas onde sejam exercidos direitos de soberania em conformidade com a Convenção;

Desejando atuar enquanto guardiães do oceano em áreas além da jurisdição nacional em nome das gerações presentes e futuras, protegendo, cuidando e garantindo a utilização responsável do meio marinho, mantendo a integridade dos ecossistemas oceânicos e conservando o valor intrínseco da diversidade biológica das áreas além da jurisdição nacional;

Reconhecendo que a criação, o acesso e a utilização de informações de sequências digitais sobre os recursos genéticos marinhos das áreas além da jurisdição nacional, juntamente com a partilha justa e equitativa dos benefícios que advêm da sua utilização, contribuem para investigação e inovação e para o objetivo geral do presente Acordo;

Respeitando a soberania, a integridade territorial e a independência política de todos os Estados;

Recordando que a situação jurídica daqueles que não são Partes da Convenção ou de quaisquer outros acordos conexos é regida pelas regras do direito dos tratados;

Recordando também que, conforme estabelecido na Convenção, os Estados são responsáveis pelo cumprimento de suas obrigações internacionais relativas à proteção e à preservação do meio marinho e podem ser responsabilizados de acordo com o direito internacional;

Comprometidos a alcançar o desenvolvimento sustentável;

Aspirando alcançar participação universal:

acordaram o seguinte:

PARTE I — DISPOSIÇÕES GERAIS

Artigo 1.º — Termos utilizados

Para efeitos do presente Acordo:

1 - «Instrumento de gestão de área» significa um instrumento, incluindo uma área marinha protegida, para uma área geograficamente definida por meio da qual um ou vários setores ou atividades são geridos com o intuito de alcançar objetivos específicos de conservação e utilização sustentável, em conformidade com o presente Acordo.

2 - «Áreas além da jurisdição nacional» significa o alto mar e a Área.

3 - «Biotecnologia» significa qualquer aplicação tecnológica que utilize sistemas biológicos, organismos vivos, ou seus derivados, para a criação ou modificação de produtos ou processos para utilização específica.

4 - «Recolha in situ», em relação aos recursos genéticos marinhos, significa a recolha ou amostragem de recursos genéticos marinhos em áreas além da jurisdição nacional.

5 - «Convenção» significa a Convenção das Nações Unidas sobre o Direito do Mar, de 10 de dezembro de 1982.

6 - «Impactes cumulativos» significa os impactes combinados e progressivos resultantes de diferentes atividades, incluindo atividades passadas e presentes conhecidas e aquelas razoavelmente previsíveis, ou da repetição de atividades semelhantes ao longo do tempo, e as consequências das alterações climáticas, acidificação do oceano e impactes relacionados.

7 - «Avaliação de impacte ambiental» designa um procedimento para identificar e avaliar os impactes potenciais de uma atividade com vista a informar o processo de tomada de decisão.

8 - «Recursos genéticos marinhos» significa qualquer material de origem marinha vegetal, animal, microbiana ou outra que contenha unidades funcionais de hereditariedade de valor real ou potencial.

9 - «Área marinha protegida» significa uma área marinha definida geograficamente que é designada e gerida para alcançar objetivos específicos de conservação da diversidade biológica a longo prazo e que pode permitir, quando apropriado, a utilização sustentável quando a mesma esteja em linha com os objetivos de conservação.

10 - «Tecnologia marinha» inclui, inter alia: informações e dados, fornecidos em formato de fácil utilização, sobre as ciências marinhas e operações e serviços marinhos conexos; manuais, orientações, critérios, normas e materiais de referência; equipamento de amostragem e metodologia; instalações de observação e equipamento para observações, análises e experiências in situ e em laboratório; computadores e software, incluindo modelos e técnicas de modelização; biotecnologia relacionada; e experiência, conhecimentos, competências, conhecimentos especializados técnicos, científicos e jurídicos, e métodos analíticos relacionados com a conservação e utilização sustentável da diversidade biológica marinha.

11 - «Parte» significa um Estado ou organização regional de integração económica que tenha consentido vincular-se ao presente Acordo e em relação ao qual o presente Acordo esteja em vigor.

12 - «Organização regional de integração económica» significa uma organização constituída por Estados soberanos de uma determinada região para a qual os seus Estados-Membros tenham transferido competências sobre as matérias regidas pelo presente Acordo e que tenha sido devidamente autorizada, de acordo com os seus procedimentos internos, a assinar, ratificar, aprovar, aceitar ou aderir ao presente Acordo.

13 - «Utilização sustentável» significa a utilização dos componentes da diversidade biológica de um modo e a um ritmo que não conduza, a longo prazo, a uma diminuição da diversidade biológica, mantendo assim o seu potencial para satisfazer as necessidades e aspirações das gerações atuais e futuras.

14 - «Utilização de recursos genéticos marinhos» significa a realização de investigação e desenvolvimento sobre a composição genética e/ou bioquímica dos recursos genéticos marinhos, incluindo por meio da aplicação de biotecnologia, conforme definido no n.º 3 anterior.

Artigo 2.º — Objetivo geral

O objetivo do presente Acordo é assegurar a conservação e utilização sustentável da diversidade biológica marinha das áreas além da jurisdição nacional, no presente e a longo prazo, através da implementação efetiva das disposições relevantes da Convenção e de uma maior cooperação e coordenação internacional.

Artigo 3.º — Âmbito de aplicação

O presente Acordo aplica-se a áreas além da jurisdição nacional.

Artigo 4.º — Exceções

O presente Acordo não se aplica a navios de guerra, aeronaves militares ou navios auxiliares de marinha. Com exceção da parte II, o presente Acordo não se aplica a outras embarcações ou aeronaves pertencentes ou operadas por uma Parte e utilizadas, no momento considerado, em serviço governamental não-comercial. No entanto, cada Parte assegura, mediante a adoção de medidas adequadas que não prejudiquem as operações ou a capacidade operacional de tais embarcações ou aeronaves que lhes pertençam ou sejam operadas por elas, que tais embarcações ou aeronaves atuam, na medida do razoável e possível, de modo consistente com o presente Acordo.

Artigo 5.º

Relação entre o presente Acordo e a Convenção e os instrumentos e quadros jurídicos relevantes e os organismos globais, regionais, sub-regionais e setoriais relevantes

1 - O presente Acordo é interpretado e aplicado no contexto e de forma coerente com a Convenção. Nenhuma disposição do presente Acordo prejudica os direitos, a jurisdição e os deveres dos Estados ao abrigo da Convenção, incluindo no que diz respeito à zona económica exclusiva e à plataforma continental dentro e além das 200 milhas marítimas.

2 - O presente Acordo é interpretado e aplicado de forma a não prejudicar os instrumentos e quadros jurídicos relevantes e os organismos globais, regionais, sub-regionais e setoriais relevantes e de forma a favorecer a coerência e a coordenação com estes instrumentos, quadros jurídicos e organismos.

3 - A situação jurídica dos não Partes da Convenção ou em quaisquer outros acordos conexos, no que diz respeito a esses instrumentos, não é afetada pelo presente Acordo.

Artigo 6.º — Sem prejuízo

O presente Acordo, incluindo qualquer decisão ou recomendação da Conferência das Partes ou dos seus órgãos subsidiários e quaisquer atos, medidas ou atividades empreendidas com base no mesmo, não prejudica nem pode ser invocado como base para afirmar ou negar quaisquer reivindicações de soberania, direitos soberanos ou jurisdição, incluindo em relação a quaisquer controvérsias com eles relacionadas.

Artigo 7.º — Princípios e abordagens gerais

A fim de alcançar os objetivos do presente Acordo, as Partes são guiadas pelos seguintes princípios e abordagens:

Artigo 8.º — Cooperação internacional

1 - As Partes cooperam no âmbito do presente Acordo para a conservação e utilização sustentável da diversidade biológica marinha das áreas além da jurisdição nacional, incluindo através do fortalecimento e reforço da cooperação com, e da promoção da cooperação entre instrumentos e quadros jurídicos relevantes e organismos globais, regionais, sub-regionais e setoriais relevantes com vista a alcançar os objetivos do presente Acordo.

2 - As Partes comprometem-se em promover, quando apropriado, os objetivos do presente Acordo ao participarem na tomada de decisão no âmbito de outros instrumentos ou quadros jurídicos relevantes, ou organismos globais, regionais, sub-regionais ou setoriais relevantes.

3 - As Partes promovem a cooperação internacional para a investigação científica marinha e para o desenvolvimento e transferência de tecnologia marinha, em conformidade com a Convenção e em apoio aos objetivos do presente Acordo.

PARTE II — RECURSOS GENÉTICOS MARINHOS, INCLUINDO A PARTILHA JUSTA E EQUITATIVA DE BENEFÍCIOS

Artigo 9.º — Objetivos

Os objetivos desta parte são:

Artigo 10.º — Aplicação

1 - As disposições do presente Acordo aplicam-se às atividades relacionadas com os recursos genéticos marinhos e à informação de sequências digitais sobre os recursos genéticos marinhos das áreas além da jurisdição nacional recolhidos e gerados após a entrada em vigor do presente Acordo para a Parte respetiva. A aplicação das disposições do presente Acordo estende-se à utilização de recursos genéticos marinhos e de informação de sequências digitais sobre os recursos genéticos marinhos das áreas além da jurisdição nacional recolhidos e gerados antes da entrada em vigor, salvo se uma Parte formular uma exceção, por escrito, nos termos do artigo 70.º, no momento da assinatura, ratificação, aprovação, aceitação ou adesão ao presente Acordo.

2 - As disposições da presente parte não se aplicam:

3 - As obrigações da presente parte não se aplicam a atividades militares das Partes, incluindo atividades militares de embarcações e aeronaves do Estado em serviço não-comercial. As obrigações previstas na presente parte a respeito da utilização de recursos genéticos marinhos e informação de sequências digitais sobre os recursos genéticos marinhos das áreas além da jurisdição nacional aplicam-se a atividades não militares das Partes.

Artigo 11.º — Atividades relativas aos recursos genéticos marinhos das áreas além da jurisdição nacional

1 - Atividades relativas aos recursos genéticos marinhos e informação de sequências digitais sobre os recursos genéticos marinhos das áreas além da jurisdição nacional podem ser realizadas por todas as Partes, independentemente da sua localização geográfica, e por pessoas singulares ou coletivas sob a jurisdição das Partes. Estas atividades são conduzidas em conformidade com o presente Acordo.

2 - As Partes promovem a cooperação em todas as atividades respeitantes aos recursos genéticos marinhos e informação de sequências digitais sobre os recursos genéticos marinhos das áreas além da jurisdição nacional.

3 - A recolha in situ de recursos genéticos marinhos das áreas além da jurisdição nacional é realizada com a devida consideração pelos direitos e interesses legítimos dos Estados costeiros nas áreas sob sua jurisdição nacional, e com a devida consideração pelos interesses de outros Estados em áreas além da jurisdição nacional, em conformidade com a Convenção. Para o efeito, as Partes comprometem-se a cooperar, quando apropriado, incluindo através das modalidades específicas para o funcionamento do Mecanismo de Intermediação de Informação criado no artigo 51.º, tendo em vista a implementação do presente Acordo.

4 - Nenhum Estado pode reivindicar ou exercer soberania ou direitos soberanos sobre recursos genéticos marinhos das áreas além da jurisdição nacional. Tal reivindicação ou exercício de soberania ou de direitos soberanos não é reconhecida.

5 - A recolha in situ de recursos genéticos marinhos das áreas além da jurisdição nacional não constitui base jurídica para qualquer reivindicação de qualquer área do meio marinho ou dos seus recursos.

6 - As atividades relativas aos recursos genéticos marinhos e a informação de sequências digitais sobre os recursos genéticos marinhos das áreas além da jurisdição nacional são do interesse de todos os Estados e para o benefício de toda a humanidade, particularmente em benefício do avanço do conhecimento científico da humanidade e da promoção da conservação e utilização sustentável da diversidade biológica marinha, tendo especialmente em conta os interesses e as necessidades dos Estados em desenvolvimento.

7 - Atividades relativas aos recursos genéticos marinhos e a informação de sequências digitais sobre os recursos genéticos marinhos das áreas além da jurisdição nacional são realizadas exclusivamente para fins pacíficos.

Artigo 12.º

Notificação das atividades relativas aos recursos genéticos marinhos e a informação de sequências digitais sobre os recursos genéticos marinhos das áreas além da jurisdição nacional

1 - As Partes adotam as medidas legislativas, administrativas ou políticas necessárias para assegurar que as informações são notificadas ao Mecanismo de Intermediação de Informação, nos termos da presente parte.

2 - As seguintes informações são notificadas ao Mecanismo de Intermediação de Informação seis meses, ou o mais cedo possível, antes da recolha in situ de recursos genéticos marinhos das áreas além da jurisdição nacional:

3 - Após a notificação referida no n.º 2 anterior, o Mecanismo de Intermediação de Informação gera automaticamente um identificador de lote padronizado «BBNJ».

4 - No caso de alteração substancial das informações transmitidas ao Mecanismo de Intermediação de Informação antes da recolha prevista, as informações atualizadas são notificadas ao Mecanismo de Intermediação de Informação num prazo razoável e, o mais tardar, se possível, até ao início da recolha in situ.

5 - As Partes asseguram que as seguintes informações, juntamente com o identificador de lote padronizado «BBNJ», são notificadas ao Mecanismo de Intermediação de Informação, assim que estiverem disponíveis, e o mais tardar um ano após a recolha in situ dos recursos genéticos marinhos das áreas além da jurisdição nacional:

6 - As Partes garantem que as amostras de recursos genéticos marinhos e a informação de sequências digitais sobre os recursos genéticos marinhos das áreas além da jurisdição nacional mantidas em repositórios ou bases de dados sob sua jurisdição possam ser identificados como provenientes das áreas além da jurisdição nacional, em conformidade com a prática internacional vigente, e na medida do possível.

7 - As Partes asseguram que os repositórios, na medida do possível, e as bases de dados sob sua jurisdição elaboram, a cada dois anos, um relatório agregado sobre o acesso aos recursos genéticos marinhos e às informações de sequências digitais sobre os recursos genéticos marinhos associados ao seu identificador de lote padronizado «BBNJ», e disponibilizam o relatório ao comité de acesso e partilha de benefícios criado no artigo 15.º

8 - Nos casos em que os recursos genéticos marinhos das áreas além da jurisdição nacional e, quando viável, a informação de sequências digitais sobre esses recursos for objeto de utilização, incluindo comercialização, por pessoas singulares ou coletivas sob sua jurisdição, as Partes asseguram que as seguintes informações, incluindo o identificador de lote padronizado «BBNJ», se disponível, sejam notificadas ao Mecanismo de Intermediação de Informação, logo que estejam disponíveis:

Artigo 13.º — Conhecimentos tradicionais dos Povos Indígenas e das comunidades locais associados a recursos genéticos marinhos em áreas além da jurisdição nacional

As Partes adotam medidas legislativas, administrativas ou políticas, se relevante e quando apropriado, com o objetivo de garantir que o acesso aos conhecimentos tradicionais associados a recursos genéticos marinhos em áreas além da jurisdição nacional dos Povos Indígenas e das comunidades locais só tenha lugar com o consentimento livre, prévio e informado ou aprovação e participação desses Povos Indígenas e dessas comunidades locais. O acesso a esses conhecimentos tradicionais pode ser facilitado pelo Mecanismo de Intermediação de Informação. O acesso a esses conhecimentos tradicionais e a sua utilização são estabelecidos por mútuo acordo.

Artigo 14.º — Partilha justa e equitativa de benefícios

1 - Os benefícios decorrentes das atividades relacionadas com os recursos genéticos marinhos e a informação de sequências digitais sobre os recursos genéticos marinhos das áreas além da jurisdição nacional são partilhados de forma justa e equitativa, em conformidade com a presente parte, e contribuem para a conservação e utilização sustentável da diversidade biológica marinha das áreas além da jurisdição nacional.

2 - Os benefícios não monetários são partilhados em conformidade com o presente Acordo, na forma de, inter alia:

3 - As Partes adotam as medidas legislativas, administrativas ou políticas necessárias para garantir que os recursos genéticos marinhos e a informação de sequências digitais sobre os recursos genéticos marinhos das áreas além da jurisdição nacional, juntamente com os seus identificadores de lote padronizados «BBNJ», sujeitos a utilização por pessoas singulares ou coletivas sob sua jurisdição, sejam depositados em repositórios e bases de dados acessíveis ao público, mantidos a nível nacional ou internacional, o mais tardar três anos após o início da utilização, ou assim que estiverem disponíveis, tendo em conta a prática internacional vigente.

4 - O acesso aos recursos genéticos marinhos e a informação de sequências digitais sobre os recursos genéticos marinhos das áreas além da jurisdição nacional em repositórios e bases de dados sob a jurisdição de uma Parte pode estar sujeito a condições razoáveis, nos seguintes termos:

e providenciar oportunidades de acesso em condições justas e termos mais favoráveis, incluindo em condições concessionais e preferenciais, a investigadores e instituições de investigação de Estados em desenvolvimento.

5 - Os benefícios monetários decorrentes da utilização de recursos genéticos marinhos e de informação de sequências digitais sobre os recursos genéticos marinhos das áreas além da jurisdição nacional, incluindo a comercialização, são partilhados de forma justa e equitativa através do mecanismo financeiro estabelecido no artigo 52.º, para a conservação e utilização sustentável da diversidade biológica marinha das áreas além da jurisdição nacional.

6 - Após a entrada em vigor do presente Acordo, as Partes desenvolvidas efetuam contribuições anuais para o fundo especial referido no artigo 52.º O montante da contribuição de uma Parte é de cinquenta por cento da sua contribuição para o orçamento, adotado pela Conferência das Partes nos termos da alínea e) do n.º 6 do artigo 47.º Esse pagamento mantém-se até que a Conferência das Partes adote uma decisão nos termos do n.º 7 seguinte.

7 - A Conferência das Partes decide sobre as modalidades de repartição de benefícios monetários decorrentes da utilização de recursos genéticos marinhos e das informações de sequências digitais sobre os recursos genéticos marinhos das áreas além da jurisdição nacional, tendo em conta as recomendações do comité de acesso e partilha de benefícios criado no artigo 15.º Caso todos os esforços para chegar a um consenso tenham sido esgotados, a decisão será adotada por maioria de três quartos das Partes presentes e votantes. Os pagamentos são efetuados através do fundo especial estabelecido no artigo 52.º As modalidades podem incluir: