International agreements: About us

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Whale breaching, Kaikoura
Image: pablo | Creative Commons

Introduction

The New Zealand government is signatory to a number of international agreements that impact on our work.

International agreements that we have are a particular interest in are:

Antarctica Treaty System

The main purpose of the Treaty is to ensure "in the interests of all mankind that Antarctica shall continue forever to be used exclusively for peaceful purposes and shall not become the scene or object of international discord".

Convention on Biological Diversity

The Convention was adopted in 1992 as a way to help develop national strategies for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)

CITES is an international agreement that regulates and monitors trade in animal and plant species to ensure it does not threaten their long-term survival in the wild.

International Union for Conservation of Nature

The IUCN is an international organisation dedicated to natural resource conservation. New Zealand is a state member of IUCN, represented by DOC.

The Convention of the Conservation of Migratory Species

The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species is an international convention that came into force for New Zealand in 2000.

Pacific Regional Environmental Programme

Here you can learn about conservation efforts the Pacific Regional Environment Programme has initiated.

Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands is an intergovernmental treaty for the conservation and wise use of wetlands.

Whales

Find out about New Zealand's policies and actions related to the conservation of whales.

World Heritage

The World Heritage Convention encourages the identification, protection and preservation of the world’s outstanding cultural and natural heritage sites for the international community and future generations.

Other agreements

New Zealand has a history of involvement in other global conservation efforts including the following:

Basel Convention
Convention on the control of transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and their disposal.

London Convention 1972
Convention on the prevention of marine pollution by dumping of wastes and other matter.

MARPOL
International convention for the prevention of pollution from ships.

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
Codifies customary international law of the sea.

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
A range of commitments aimed at stabilising greenhouse gas concentrations.

Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer
Obliges parties to take appropriate measures to protect human health and the environment against adverse effects of modification of the ozone layer.

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