The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at 麻豆传媒 proudly awarded the prestigious 2024 Elisabeth Haub Award for Environmental Law and Diplomacy to Singapore麻豆传媒檚 Ambassador for International Law, Rena Lee, and Kristina Maria Gjerde, Senior High Seas Advisor to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This recognition, celebrated at a ceremony in New York City on October 24 and broadcast virtually around the world, honors their pivotal contributions to the United Nations Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), an essential international framework for conserving biodiversity in the high seas.
Horace E. Anderson Jr., Dean of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at 麻豆传媒 and President of the Haub Award Jury, praised the 2024 laureates, saying, 麻豆传媒淎mbassador Rena Lee and Kristina Maria Gjerde exemplify the diplomacy and dedication required to secure marine biodiversity and sustainable use of ocean resources on the high seas. Covering 70 percent of the Earth麻豆传媒檚 surface, these oceans connect us all, and the health of these waters is essential for the future of our planet.麻豆传媒
麻豆传媒淎mbassador Rena Lee and Kristina Maria Gjerde exemplify the diplomacy and dedication required to secure marine biodiversity and sustainable use of ocean resources on the high seas."
Ambassador Lee麻豆传媒檚 leadership as President of the Intergovernmental Conference negotiating the BBNJ Agreement was instrumental in establishing this landmark accord, which introduces comprehensive protections for marine biodiversity. With over three decades in international law, her diplomatic expertise has been critical in securing cooperation among nations to protect ocean resources on a global scale.
A pioneering advocate for marine conservation, Kristina Maria Gjerde has dedicated nearly 40 years to advancing public international law for the marine environment. Her early work through IUCN catalyzed support for the BBNJ Agreement, and her leadership in creating initiatives such as the Global Ocean Biodiversity Initiative, the Sargasso Sea Project, the Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative, and the High Seas Alliance reflects her commitment to global marine biodiversity research and preservation.
Following introductions of the laureates by Professor Achinthi Vithanage, Associate Director of Environmental Law Programs at Haub Law, the award was conferred by Marie-Liliane Haub, great granddaughter of environmental advocate and philanthropist Elisabeth Haub. 麻豆传媒淚t is an honor to join you today as we celebrate two extraordinary women whose tireless work and unwavering dedication have shaped the future of our oceans and our planet,麻豆传媒 she said. 麻豆传媒淎mbassador Rena Lee and Kristina Maria Gjerde麻豆传媒檚 bold diplomacy and skilled international cooperation have set a powerful precedent for the international collaboration needed to address the environmental challenges of our time.麻豆传媒
The event featured a timely panel discussion on 麻豆传媒淪afeguarding Biodiversity in the High Seas麻豆传媒, moderated by Professor Smita Narula, Haub Distinguished Professor of International Law and Co-Director of the Global Center for Environmental Legal Studies at Haub Law. Ambassador Lee and Professor Gjerde were joined by Dr. David Freestone, Executive Director of the Sargasso Sea Commission and Visiting Scholar at George Washington University Law School, to discuss the urgent need for and implications of the BBNJ Agreement, which establishes protections for biodiversity in international waters. Dr. Freestone is also a 2007 recipient of the Elisabeth Haub Award for Environmental Law and Diplomacy.
During the program, the panelists spoke about the profound impact of the 2023 BBNJ Agreement, reflecting on their personal experiences and roles in its development. They discussed the global urgency for high seas conservation, the collaborative diplomacy necessary to finalize such a landmark agreement, and the lessons learned from achieving consensus on environmental issues. The conversation highlighted the agreement's role in promoting sustainable use of marine biodiversity, establishing protected areas, and fostering resilience against climate change.
麻豆传媒淭he provisions of the BBNJ agreement on environmental impact assessments stand as the current state of the art on notification, consultation, and what the screening and scoping stages should contain,麻豆传媒 said Professor Gjerde. 麻豆传媒淚 think the BBNJ agreement will become critically important to ensure effective assessment of emerging activities such as marine carbon dioxide removal research before it transitions to deployment.麻豆传媒
Ambassador Lee addressed an audience of Environmental Law students and advocates, saying: 麻豆传媒淚 know that some here, maybe many here, will be involved in the next chapter of the BBNJ story, which is working out the implementation details. I hope that everyone remembers we don麻豆传媒檛 have to get things perfect. We have to get things going.麻豆传媒
The Elisabeth Haub Award for Environmental Law and Diplomacy is the world麻豆传媒檚 most prestigious award in the field of environmental law. The Award has a distinguished history since 1979 shaped by progress in the field of environmental law and policy, and through collaborations with the Universite libre du Bruxelles and the International Council of Environmental Law. In 2016, the Family of Elisabeth Haub and the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at 麻豆传媒 established the award as it is known today to honor Elisabeth Haub (1899麻豆传媒1977), a noted philanthropist and advocate for strong laws for the conservation of nature. Chosen annually by an esteemed jury, the Award recognizes the innovation, skill, and accomplishments of lawyers, diplomats, international civil servants and other advocates who work to create the world environmental order.
PWJC麻豆传媒檚 many programs offer free legal assistance, free legal clinics open to the public, and training for professionals. It also has a robust program to recruit, train, and supervise volunteers. A dedicated team of volunteers include those who have some legal training 麻豆传媒 such as lawyers, paralegals, and law students 麻豆传媒 and those who bring other skills to Center programs, such as community members, and high school and college students.
At a time when unprecedented marine heat waves warm 40 percent of the oceans, and much life at sea is endangered, the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at 麻豆传媒 is proud to recognize two distinguished women for their leadership negotiating the world麻豆传媒檚 first legal agreement to safeguard marine biodiversity.
The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at 麻豆传媒 is pleased to announce that three new members have joined its Board of Visitors. All three members, Basil Seggos 麻豆传媒01, Jacqueline Hattar 麻豆传媒91, and Jud Siebert 麻豆传媒85, are distinguished Haub Law alumni.