In December 2017 the UN General Assembly established an Intergovernmental Conference to develop the text of a draft agreement under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The agreement focuses on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in the high seas and deep seabed (known as 'areas beyond national jurisdiction'). The purpose of the agreement is to address the rapid decline of marine biodiversity in these areas, to clarify the legal regime for the use of marine genetic resources from these areas, and to facilitate developing country participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity. The treaty will not affect New Zealand’s rights and responsibilities for its marine areas, but will affect the activities of New Zealanders and New Zealand companies operating in the high seas and seabed beyond national jurisdiction. The agreement covers four substantive issues: (1) marine genetic resources, including questions on the sharing of benefits; (2) measures such as area-based management tools, including marine protected areas; (3) environmental impact assessments; and (4) capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology.