The Common Oceans ABNJ Deep Seas Project is funded by the Global Environment Fund and implemented by FAO and the UN Environment Programme. The partnership brings together a broad range of partners, including regional fisheries bodies responsible for the management of deep-sea fisheries, fishing industry partners, and international organizations to achieve sustainable fisheries management and biodiversity conservation of deep-sea living resources in the ABNJ. To showcase existing knowledge, practices and innovative research for sustainable deep-sea fisheries management and biodiversity conservation in the ABNJ, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with UN Environment World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) and the SponGES Project consortium, organized a meeting – the ABNJ Deep Sea Meeting 2019 – that took place on 7-9 May 2019, at FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy. Over 40 participants, including representatives from partner organizations and other stakeholders from multiple sectors within the ABNJ, attended the three-day meeting. While significant progress has been made in the management of deep-sea fisheries and in the protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems, the ABNJ still faces threats from climate change, ocean acidification, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Building on the achievements of the Common Oceans ABNJ Deep Sea Projects and the SponGES Project, the participants were invited to give presentations on key topics and discuss emerging issues concerning ABNJ governance and deep-sea research, monitoring and management.

William Emerson, Coordinator of the Common Oceans ABNJ Project, talking about the ABNJ Deep Sea Meeting 2019 that took place at FAO Headquarters on 7-9 May 2019. The aim of this meeting was to showcase existing knowledge, practices and innovative research for sustainable deep-sea fisheries management and biodiversity conservation in the areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ).

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This is the agenda for The DEEP SEA MEETING 2019, an effort carried out be the GEF-funded Common Oceans ABNJ Deep Seas Project that is jointly implemented by FAO and UN Environment. FAO is also partners with the SponGES Project, which is a research and innovation Project funded under the H2020 Blue Growth initiative. The DEEP SEA MEETING 2019 aims to build on the Common Oceans ABNJ Deep Seas Project and SponGES Project, to showcase existing knowledge, practices, and innovative research for sustainable deep-sea fisheries management and biodiversity conservation in the ABNJ.

This is a Concept Note of The DEEP SEA MEETING 2019, an effort carried out be the GEF-funded Common Oceans ABNJ Deep Seas Project that is jointly implemented by FAO and UN Environment. FAO is also partners with the SponGES Project, which is a research and innovation Project funded under the H2020 Blue Growth initiative. The DEEP SEA CONFERENCE 2019 aims to build on the Common Oceans ABNJ Deep Seas Project and SponGES Project, to showcase existing knowledge, practices, and innovative research for sustainable deep-sea fisheries management and biodiversity conservation in the ABNJ.