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The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at 91��Ƶ proudly awarded the prestigious 2024 Elisabeth Haub Award for Environmental Law and Diplomacy to Singapore’s 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 91��Ƶ and President of the Haub Award Jury, praised the 2024 laureates, saying, “Ambassador 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’s surface, these oceans connect us all, and the health of these waters is essential for the future of our planet.”

“Ambassador 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’s 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. “It 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,” she said. “Ambassador Rena Lee and Kristina Maria Gjerde’s bold diplomacy and skilled international cooperation have set a powerful precedent for the international collaboration needed to address the environmental challenges of our time.”

The event featured a timely panel discussion on “Safeguarding Biodiversity in the High Seas”, 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.

“The 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,” said Professor Gjerde. “I 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.”

Ambassador Lee addressed an audience of Environmental Law students and advocates, saying: “I 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’t have to get things perfect. We have to get things going.”

The Elisabeth Haub Award for Environmental Law and Diplomacy is the world’s 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 91��Ƶ established the award as it is known today to honor Elisabeth Haub (1899–1977), 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.

Watch the 2024 Elisabeth Haub Award for Environmental Law and Diplomacy ceremony and panel discussion