STATEMENT BY DR. KHAIRUL NAIM ADHAM HEAD OF DELEGATION MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY OF MALAYSIA AT THE INFORMA

STATEMENT BY

DR. KHAIRUL NAIM ADHAM

HEAD OF DELEGATION

MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY OF MALAYSIA

AT THE INFORMAL WORKING GROUP OF THE PREPARATORY COMMISSION FOR THE ENTRY INTO FORCE OF 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 AND THE CONVENING OF THE FIRST MEETING OF THE CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES TO THE AGREEMENT

Thank you Madam Co-chair for giving Malaysia the floor.

Distinguished delegates,

Malaysia aligns itself with the statement delivered by the distinguished representative of Iraq on behalf of the G77 and China. Malaysia delivers this statement in a national capacity.

Malaysia commends the Secretariat and Co-chairs for preparing a comprehensive and useful guidance document on Clearing-house Mechanism for further deliberation.

In response to question 1 regarding the key elements for operationalising an effective and fit-for-purpose Clearing-house Mechanism, Malaysia wishes to underscore the importance of Clearing-house Mechanism, being a centralised and an open-access platform and highlight that it should meet the following minimum requirements:

1. Serve its primary functions as outlined in Article 51 of the BBNJ Agreement and facilitate its mechanisms, including the necessity to establish clear linkage with relevant subsidiary bodies;

2. Ensure the effective implementation of the BBNJ Agreement in accordance with national circumstances, including:

1. Pursuant to Article 52, facilitate the exchange of information, international cooperation and collaboration, technical assistance and technology transfer;

2. Supporting the implementation and monitoring of marine Genetic Resources or their Digital Sequence Information (DSI) utilisation, Area-based Management Tools (ABMTs) including Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA);

3. Strengthening capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology; and

4. Promoting research and knowledge management.

3. The Clearing-house Mechanism must also feature a user-friendly interface that is highly accessible to relevant stakeholders and interoperable.

4. The aspect of data security, privacy and confidentiality is also crucial to be fulfilled; and

5. In accordance with article 51(5), it is essential for Clearing-house Mechanism to assist developing countries by providing the necessary support and means of implementation to address their special needs and maximise the benefits of this agreement.

Madam Co-chair,

Distinguished delegates,

Regarding question 2 on the elements that require in-depth technical analysis, Malaysia believes that among other elements are:

1. The importance of standardised formats, including standardised batch identifiers. In this context, it is vital that procedures are clearly defined and standardised. Malaysia is committed to supporting the development of structured templates that encompass defined mandatory fields to promote consistency and comparability. Furthermore, we propose that these formats be aligned with international data standards wherever appropriate, ensuring a collaborative and unified approach;

2. The notification elements of the Clearing-house Mechanism and their provisions such as those outlined in Articles 12, 16 and 32. These include the notification stages and guidance to manage notifications; and

3. The required information and their categories or the Clearing-house Mechanism, such as the type and scope of confidential information.

Madam Co-chair,

Malaysia stands ready to engage constructively in ensuring the effective operation of Clearing-house Mechanism under this agreement.

Thank you Madam Co-chair.