1) There are significant legal gaps in the framework for protecting biodiversity on the high seas, and rapid development of ocean activities and their cumulative impacts require strengthening the framework. 2) Negotiations have been ongoing since 2006 through the BBNJ working group to develop a new international agreement, with key milestones being a 2011 agreement on issues to cover and meetings in 2014 to continue discussions. 3) While many countries agree on maintaining the 2015 deadline and upholding the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, there are still major disagreements around balancing legal gaps with broader management, how to respect but define existing organizations' mandates, and whether to take an international or regional approach.