BBNJ – Ocean Equity Research https://oceanequityresearch.org My WordPress Blog Sat, 11 Apr 2026 07:54:49 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://oceanequityresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/cropped-Screenshot-2025-03-17-at-11.27.22-32x32.png BBNJ – Ocean Equity Research https://oceanequityresearch.org 32 32 Preparing for the First Meeting of the Conference of the Parties for Ocean Biodiversity https://oceanequityresearch.org/news/preparing-for-the-first-meeting-of-the-conference-of-the-parties-for-ocean-biodiversity/ Sat, 11 Apr 2026 07:43:34 +0000 https://oceanequityresearch.org/?p=5236

Authors: Ina Tessnow-von Wysocki, Kristine Dalaker & Hussain Sinan  

Opening Plenary PrepCom 3, New York

The UN General Assembly established the Preparatory Commission (PrepCom) to prepare for the entry into force of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) and the convening of the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP-1), which is planned for January 11-22nd, 2027.

Three sessions of the PrepCom were held between 2025 and 2026 at the UN headquarters in New York, with the third session coming to an end after intense two-week negotiations between March 26 – April 2nd 2026 (PrepCom 3).

Passing on unbracketed text to the Conference of the Parties

Given the BBNJ Agreement’s swift entry into force in January 2026, the aim of PrepCom 3 was to prepare a final report that would include recommendations to be presented at COP-1 for consideration and adoption by the Parties. The recommendations include the PrepCom’s agreement on various documents that operationalize the BBNJ Agreement. Among the themes that were agreed with full convergence among delegations include:

  • the modalities for the selection of the seat of the Secretariat;
  • the relationship between the Secretariat and the UN;
  • the Voluntary Trust Fund;
  • the operationalisation of the Special Fund;
  • Memorandum of Understanding with the Global Environmental Facility (GEF);
  • the Clearing-House Mechanism;
  • cooperation with relevant instruments, frameworks, and bodies (IFBs); and
  • reporting requirements.

Regarding items 1 and 2 above, although modalities for the selection of the seat of the Secretariat were agreed, the draft decision regarding the relationship between the Secretariat and the UN reflects two options for consideration at COP-1. The first option is for the Secretariat to be institutionally linked to the UN while not being fully integrated into any particular work programme. The second option is for the Secretariat to enter into a relationship agreement with the UN.

Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed…?

While substantial progress was achieved on several documents, some issues remain in brackets and will require further negotiation at the upcoming COP-1 before final adoption. Among those topics will be discussions on financial rules and regulations, rules of procedure for the COP, as well as the terms of reference for the subsidiary bodies.

Rules of procedure for the COP

Further discussion on the rules of procedure (RoP) for the COP concerns matters regarding observer participation, including an objection procedure under Rule 6, and potential categorisation of observers (e.g., non-Parties, IGOs, NGOs, Indigenous Peoples and local communities), the operationalisation of Article 18 of the BBNJ Agreement (Rule 39bis) regarding the area of application in the establishment of area-based management tools (ABMTs), quorum (attendance of Parties required to open a COP meeting), voting thresholds (for substantive and procedural matters), method for voting (secret ballot), and the voting threshold required to amend the RoP.

Terms of Reference and Modalities for Subsidiary Bodies

While ongoing discussions on the composition and selection of subsidiary bodies will be required, other issues were agreed, including number of members, observers, and confidentiality considerations.

Financial Rules and Regulations

Discussions on financial rules and regulations included the scope and the financial period, responsible entities to prepare the budget proposals, funds, contributions, auditing and accounts and administrative costs. Elements of the financial rules and regulations will require further negotiation at COP-1, as they are largely dependent on the Secretariat model that is chosen (either the first or second options) and the responsibilities of the Finance Committee.

ANCORS at PrepCom 3

A group of ANCORS staff and alumni was once again well-represented at PrepCom 3, with representatives on state, IGO and NGO delegations of China, Maldives, IOC-UNESCO, DOSI, and the Fridtjof Nansen Institute.

Looking ahead

The PrepCom was an important preparatory step towards implementation of the BBNJ Agreement, as it develops processes for the operationalisation and functioning of the BBNJ Secretariat, the COP and its subsidiary bodies, as well as developments of the BBNJ Clearing-House Mechanism. In the coming months, intersessional meetings among States and other stakeholders will continue in the preparations towards COP-1 to be held at the UN headquarters in New York from January 11-22, 2027. It will mark an important step forward in international biodiversity governance with already 88 States who have ratified the BBNJ Agreement to date and others who have announced their likely ratification prior to COP-1.

For those interested in the BBNJ Agreement and its operationalisation through science, knowledge and data – a new IOC-UNESCO BBNJ e-learning course has been launched during PrepCom 3: Using science, knowledge and tools to operationalise the BBNJ Agreement.

The self-paced course introduces the BBNJ Agreement and focuses on the role that ocean science and knowledge play for its implementation, including implications for the global community and opportunities for science, services and management in and about ABNJ. The course aims to support individuals and institutions of diverse groups in understanding the scientific realities of the ocean and data sharing opportunities. The course is free of charge and open to everyone interested in the science and knowledge in support of the BBNJ Agreement, and it was designed primarily to support the ocean science community, including researchers, practitioners, technical staff, decision-makers, students, and other groups of society. 

References

Draft texts prepared by the Co-Chairs which served as basis for negotiation:

  • Revised agenda of the Preparatory Commission (A/AC.296/2025/1/Rev.1)
  • Programme of work of the Preparatory Commission (A/AC.296/2025/2)
  • Rules of procedure for the Conference of the Parties to the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction: Further revised aid to discussions and negotiations prepared by the Co-Chairs (A/AC.296/2026/1)
  • Financial rules governing the funding of the Conference of the Parties to the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction and the funding of the secretariat and any subsidiary bodies: Further revised aid to discussions and negotiations prepared by the Co-Chairs (A/AC.296/2026/2)
  • Terms of reference and modalities for the operation of, and rules of procedure for, the subsidiary bodies, including the selection process for their members: Aid to discussions and negotiations prepared by the Co-Chairs (A/AC.296/2026/3)
  • Arrangements to enhance cooperation with relevant legal instruments and frameworks and relevant global, regional, subregional and sectoral bodies: Draft decision of the Conference of the Parties prepared by the Co-Chairs (A/AC.296/2026/4)
  • Operationalisation of other provisions on financial resources and mechanism under the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction: Aid to discussions and negotiations prepared by the Co-Chairs concerning the establishment of the voluntary trust fund as part of the financial mechanism (A/AC.296/2026/5)
  • Operationalisation of other provisions on financial resources and mechanism under the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction: Note by the Co-Chairs concerning a draft decision of the Conference of the Parties for the purpose of operationalising the special fund (A/AC.296/2026/6)
  • Arrangements with the Global Environment Facility to give effect to the relevant provisions on funding of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction: Further revised aid to discussions and negotiations prepared by the Co-Chairs (A/AC.296/2026/7)
  • Arrangements for the functioning of the secretariat, including its seat: Note by the Secretariat (A/AC.296/2026/8)

 

Other documents

  • Host country offers for the secretariat to be established under article 50 of the Agreement:
    • Belgium (courtesy French version and courtesy translation into Spanish provided by Belgium are available on the French and Spanish pages of this webpage)
    • Chile
    • China (courtesy translations provided by China into the official languages of the United Nations are available on the respective language pages of this webpage)
  • Updated proposed organisation of work
  • Consolidated draft study on the technical aspects of the operationalization of the Clearing-House Mechanism under the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (Advance, unedited version; Appendix A) (presentation on the consolidated draft study delivered on 23 March 2026)
  • Information for participants (A/AC.296/2026/INF/1)

Read on:

ENB Reports on the 3rd PrepCom with daily highlights: https://enb.iisd.org/marine-biodiversity-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj-cop-prepcom3

]]> Episode 13 – Capacity Building and the Transfer of Marine Technology https://oceanequityresearch.org/international-cooperation-negotiation-and-strategy/episode-13-capacity-building-and-the-transfer-of-marine-technology/ Fri, 06 Feb 2026 07:59:24 +0000 https://oceanequityresearch.org/?p=5126

Episode 13 - Capacity Building and the Transfer of Marine Technology

We hear from different “Ocean Voices” from Fellows of the Ocean Voices Program of the University of Edinburgh and dive deep into their different research and ocean equity aspects in the framework of the BBNJ Agreement.

Listen now

Description

Episode 13 – Capacity Building and the Transfer of Marine Technology

What to expect in this episode:

A new Ocean Agreement has entered into force to conserve and sustainably use the ocean globally. Given the imbalance of scientific, technical and financial capacity across countries to use the world’s ocean, conduct marine scientific research in the deep sea and engage in maritime activities in areas beyond national jurisdiction, the new agreement seeks to change the status quo. With a dedicated part on Capacity building and the Transfer of Marine Technology, the imbalance is supposed to be addressed, and global implementation of the agreement’s objectives be facilitated.

  • What falls under Capacity building in the context of the BBNJ Agreement?
  • What is meant by the transfer of marine technology?
  • How is this part crucial for the implementation of the new treaty?

We hear from different “Ocean Voices” from Fellows of the Ocean Voices Program of the University of Edinburgh and dive deep into their different research and ocean equity aspects in the framework of the BBNJ Agreement.

Guests: 

Harriet Harden-Davies

Julia Schuetz-Veiga*

Renee Lewinilovo

Benit Mbiakolo

Beatriz Naranjo Elizondo

Maila Guilhon

Hosts: ⁠Ina Tessnow-von Wysocki⁠ & ⁠Jennifer Macey⁠

Sound design and editing: ⁠⁠Emily Perkins⁠⁠

Communication: ⁠Sunnefa Yeatman⁠

For comments & feedback please contact: ⁠inatvw@uow.edu.au⁠

Find out more:

ANCORS Ocean Equity page ⁠https://oceanequityresearch.org/⁠

ANCORS at the University of Wollongong ⁠https://www.uow.edu.au/ancors/⁠

Ocean Voices Program: https://ocean-voices.ed.ac.uk/

You can find capacity building initiatives and technical assistance for the BBNJ process on the United Nations Website: https://www.un.org/bbnjagreement/en/capacity-building-and-technical-assistance/overview 

 

Read on:

Capacity Building and the Transfer of Marine Technology

Etuk Johnson, A., Harden-Davies, H. (2025). Capacity Building and Transfer of Marine Technology under the BBNJ Agreement: Key considerations for SIDS. Report for the Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security, University of Wollongong. https://oceanequityresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Arianne-Etuk_Capacity-Building-and-Transfer-of-Marine-Technology-under-the-BBNJ-Agreement.pdf

Harden-Davies, H., Lopes, V.F., Coelho, L.F. et al. First to finish, what comes next? Putting Capacity Building and the Transfer of Marine Technology under the BBNJ Agreement into practice. npj Ocean Sustain 3, 3 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44183-023-00039-1

Tessnow-von Wysocki, I., Bateh, F., Gobin, J., Harden-Davies, H., Kyeremeh, K., & Schutz-Veiga, J. (2024). Next steps to implement the BBNJ Agreement through capacity building and technology transfer. Maripoldata. https://www.maripoldata.eu/next-steps-to-implement-the-bbnj-agreement-through-capacity-building-andtechnology-transfer/

Johannes, R. E. (1981). Words of the lagoon: fishingand marine lore in the Palau district of Micronesia. Univ of California Press.  

Know more & Research of the Ocean Voices Fellows

Costa Rica Desconocida: https://costaricadesconocida.com/

Guilhon, M, Xavier, LY, von Pogrell, L, Singh, P,Christiansen, S & Turra, A 2023, ‘Ecosystem-based Management through thelenses of International Seabed Authority stakeholders: current status,implications, and opportunities for the deep-sea mining regime in theArea’, Frontiers in Marine Science, vol. 10.

Naranjo-Elizondo, B & Cortés, J 2018, ‘Observations ofLitter Deposited in the Deep Waters of Isla del Coco National Park, EasternTropical Pacific’, Frontiers in Marine Science, vol. 5.

Harden-Davies, Harriet, and Júlia Schütz Veiga, ‘PartV: Capacity-Building and the Transfer of Marine Technology’, in Joanna Mossop, and David Freestone (eds), The Agreement on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Commentary and Analysis (2025; online edn, Oxford Law , https://doi.org/10.1093/law/9780198918578.003.0008, 

Meet Renee Lewenilovo

Meet Benit Mbiakolo

* Julia Schuetz-Veiga is currently a Visiting Fellow at the Ocean Voices Program

This was the last episode on our Series 1 audio episodes.

Stay tuned for an upcoming video podcast series in collaboration with the University of Aberdeen and 3Bio on the topic of Marine Genetic Resources and the BBNJ Agreement.

]]> The 22nd Meeting of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission https://oceanequityresearch.org/news/the-22nd-meeting-of-the-western-and-central-pacific-fisheries-commission/ Mon, 08 Dec 2025 23:50:51 +0000 https://oceanequityresearch.org/?p=5048

Authors: Ina Tessnow-von Wysocki, Rachel Nichols, Quentin Hanich

The Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS) attended the 22nd annual meeting of one of the biggest Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs) – the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) – in Manila, Philippines.

The WCPFC and other RFMOs are coming to grips with the recently concluded Agreement on Biodiversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ). RFMOs and the BBNJ Agreement both have a mandate for biodiversity in the high seas and details of cooperation and coordination mechanisms for implementation are currently being developed. ANCORS co-hosted a side event on BBNJ and its interaction with the WCPFC on December 1st, 2025.

ANCORS staff Dr Kamal Azmi, Dr Rachel Nichols and Professor Quentin Hanich, and Dr Ina Tessnow-von Wysocki with ANCORS alumni Dr Josie Tamate (WCPFC Chair), and Dr Pio Manoa (Deputy Director General, Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA))

Conservation and Management

The WCPFC had a full agenda, prioritising negotiations on the management of South Pacific albacore. The WCPFC took a major step forward in the sustainable management of its key stocks with the adoption of a FFA proposal for a management procedure for South Pacific albacore (SPA). Debate through the week illustrated the challenge of balancing short-term impacts on some distant water fishing fleets with long-term benefits for the economic and biological sustainability of the entire fishery. After extensive negotiations, the WPCFC adopted a compromise management procedure that provided a balance to which all members could agree.

The Commission also made progress on bycatch (including some incremental improvements on the mitigation of seabird bycatch following years of negotiation), voluntary guides on high seas boarding and inspection, and on the Commission’s efforts to support the special requirements of developing states.

All of these decisions reflect the incremental change that is typical of consensus-based decision making. In 2026, the WCPFC will aim to adopt an implementing measure for the SPA management procedure and a management procedure for bigeye tuna.

BBNJ Panel at WCPFC 22

The BBNJ Agreement is a legally binding treaty to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction. It aims to balance protection of the marine environment and ensuring sustainable use, through four main pillars: ensuring the fair and equitable access to and use of marine genetic resources (MGRs); the establishment of area-based management tools (ABMTs), including marine protected areas (MPAs); the conduct of environmental impact assessments (EIAs); and capacity building the transfer of marine technology (CBTMT). RFMOs, on the other hand, are charged with ensuring the long-term conservation and sustainable used of straddling and highly migratory fish stocks throughout their range, including the high seas. But they also have extensive responsibilities to protect marine biodiversity, including non-target species.

The BBNJ agreement has now been ratified by 75 States (as of 15 October 2025) and will enter into force on 17th January 2026. The first Conference of the Parties (COP) meeting will be held within the first year of entry into force. With this in mind, ANCORS and the Australian Government organised a side-event discussion at the WCPFC. The side-event included presentations on the new treaty by Dr Ina Tessnow-von Wysocki (ANCORS) and Mat Kertesz (head of the Australian delegation), followed by an open discussion with a panel of experts from government and non-government institutions. Panellists included Jung-re Riley Kim (Korea), Laurence Edwards (Republic of the Marshall Islands), Rhea Moss-Christian (WCPFC Secretariat) and Glen Holmes (Pew). WCPFC members posed several thoughtful questions on issues regarding considerations of internal cooperation of ministries at the national level and practical implementation of new biodiversity measures among BBNJ and RFMOs. The topic of BBNJ was again taken up in the plenary session of the formal meeting under the agenda item “cooperation with other organisations”, where the Secretariat outlined the BBNJ agreement contents and implications for WCPFC, followed by State and non-state interventions. An overall cooperative spirit could be seen, with interest in what the BBNJ agreement entails and how it will facilitate cooperation with and among other instruments, frameworks and bodies.

IMG-20251201-WA0008.jpg

For background, Dr Ina Tessnow-von Wysocki and Dr Bianca Haas submitted an ANCORS observer paper to WCPFC22 on the links between the WCPFC and the new BBNJ Agreement. ANCORS also recorded a number of episodes on the BBNJ Agreement and fisheries as part of its Negotiating the Ocean podcast series.

]]> WCPFC and the new BBNJ Agreement: Join Us for a Lunchtime Side-Event at WCPFC22 https://oceanequityresearch.org/news/wcpfc-and-the-new-bbnj-agreement-join-us-for-a-lunchtime-side-event-at-wcpfc22/ Mon, 24 Nov 2025 04:48:31 +0000 https://oceanequityresearch.org/?p=5041

The Australian delegation to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), together with the Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS), is pleased to host a lunchtime discussion on the new Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) and its connections with tuna fisheries governance in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean.

📅 Monday, 1 December 2025
⏱ 12:45pm

As the BBNJ Agreement races toward entry into force in January 2026, WCPFC members are entering a crucial period for shaping how this global ocean treaty will interact with regional fisheries management.

Adopted in June 2023 under UNCLOS, the BBNJ Agreement is the first comprehensive framework dedicated to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. With 75 ratifications (as of 24 November 2025), the treaty will enter into force on 17 January 2026. The final Preparatory Commission (PrepCom) meeting ahead of COP1 is scheduled for March 2026.

This side-event will:

  • Explore the BBNJ Agreement and its linkages with WCPFC
  • Feature insights from government and non-government experts
  • Invite questions and discussion from all WCPFC participants

ANCORS has also produced an information paper to support conversations at WCPFC22 — summarised below — and has released podcast episodes via the Negotiating the Ocean series on Spotify.

Information Paper Highlights

The WCPFC and the BBNJ Agreement

This paper outlines how the four BBNJ pillars intersect with WCPFC responsibilities:

  • Marine Genetic Resources — Fishing is excluded, except where catch is used for genetic R&D, triggering BBNJ data-sharing obligations.
  • ABMTs / MPAs — Direct relevance for spatial management in areas beyond national jurisdiction. WCPFC expertise will be critical in scientific input, proposal consultations, and implementation.
  • Environmental Impact Assessments — New transparency, notification, and monitoring requirements for activities in new regions, depths, or targeting new species.
  • Capacity Building & Technology Transfer — Future opportunities to strengthen monitoring, scientific capability, and data systems across the Western Central Pacific Ocean.

Most importantly, BBNJ embeds cooperation and coordination with existing bodies — including RFMOs — ensuring efforts complement rather than conflict. Early engagement by WCPFC members will help shape an approach that fits Pacific priorities.

Link to document: https://meetings.wcpfc.int/node/28298

Looking Ahead

The imminent entry into force of BBNJ marks a major moment for ocean governance. WCPFC plays a central role in managing tuna and ecosystem health in ABNJ, and now has the opportunity to help shape how the new global framework works in practice.

We hope you can join us for this timely discussion.

📌 Lunchtime Side-Event — Monday 1 December, 12:45pm
We look forward to seeing you there!

]]> Episode 12 – Ocean Cooperation: BBNJ & other IFBs https://oceanequityresearch.org/international-cooperation-negotiation-and-strategy/episode-12-ocean-cooperation-bbnj-other-ifbs/ Sun, 02 Nov 2025 05:02:13 +0000 https://oceanequityresearch.org/?p=5027

Episode 12 - Ocean Cooperation: BBNJ & other IFBs

Explore how cooperation is unfolding across key organisations — and what lessons can be drawn from their experiences.

Listen now

Description

Episode 12 – Ocean Cooperation: BBNJ & other IFBs

When the new BBNJ Agreement was adopted, it entered a crowded space of already existing Instruments, Frameworks and Bodies (IFBs) in ocean governance.

  • What do other organisations think of BBNJ – and where are overlaps?
  • Which lessons can be learned from cooperation in a shared ocean?
  • How would ideal cooperation look like?
  •  

In this episode we talk to 4 Secretariats of those IFBs:

One regional fisheries management organisation (North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission, NEAFC); one regional conservation organisation (OSPAR); the International Seabed Authority (ISA); and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

Guests:

Darius Campbell, the Executive Secretary of the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC)

Dominic Pattinson, the former Executive Secretary of the OSPAR Commission

Bruno Pozzi, the Deputy Secretary General of the International Seabed Authority (ISA)

Joe Appiott, the coordinator for marine, coastal and island biodiversity of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

Hosts: ⁠Ina Tessnow-von Wysocki⁠ & Bianca Haas  & ⁠Jennifer Macey⁠

Sound design and editing: ⁠⁠Emily Perkins⁠⁠

Communication: ⁠Sunnefa Yeatman⁠

For comments & feedback please contact: ⁠inatvw@uow.edu.au⁠

Find out more:

ANCORS Ocean Equity page ⁠https://oceanequityresearch.org/⁠

ANCORS at the University of Wollongong https://www.uow.edu.au/ancors/⁠

Official documents in preparation for the Entry into Force of the BBNJ Agreement on the United Nations Website

BBNJ: ⁠https://www.un.org/bbnjagreement/en⁠

North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission: ⁠https://www.neafc.org/⁠

OSPAR: ⁠https://www.ospar.org/⁠

International Seabed Authority (ISA): ⁠https://isa.org.jm/⁠

Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD): ⁠https://www.cbd.int/⁠

Further Materials & Sources

OSPAR Decision 2021/01 on the establishment of the North Atlantic Current and Evlanov Sea basin Marine Protected Area ⁠https://www.ospar.org/documents?v=46308⁠

Collective arrangement between competent international organisations on cooperation and coordination regarding selected areas in areas beyond national jurisdiction in the North‐East Atlantic: ⁠https://www.ospar.org/documents?v=33030⁠

]]> How will the new Deep-Sea Treaty join the existing Ocean governance framework? https://oceanequityresearch.org/news/how-will-the-new-deep-sea-treaty-join-the-existing-ocean-governance-framework/ Mon, 22 Sep 2025 09:08:27 +0000 https://oceanequityresearch.org/?p=4972

By Ina Tessnow-von Wysocki & Hussain Sinan

The new treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) has reached the necessary threshold for ratifications and will enter into force on January 17th 2026. On the way towards entry into force of the BBNJ Agreement, the Preparatory Commission met for the second time at the UN headquarters in New York between 18-29 August, 2025.

This time, one of the items on the agenda was the topic of cooperation and coordination with other existing instruments in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The meeting gathered several organisations with mandates in areas beyond national jurisdiction which contributed with best practice examples and lessons learnt.  ANCORS researchers and alumni attended the meetings on delegations of state, intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations and have been involved in side events on Cooperation and coordination between BBNJ and Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs).

An ocean of “instruments, frameworks and bodies” (IFBs)

One key objective of the BBNJ Agreement is to strengthen cooperation and coordination with and among other instruments, frameworks and bodies – or short IFBs – which have mandates in areas beyond national jurisdiction. This offers an opportunity for BBNJ to act as a catalyst for cooperation and coordination. 

One can imagine the challenges of this task to coordinate the currently quite fragmented framework of different bodies that have mandate over certain areas of the ocean and govern different sectors, such as fishing, shipping or mining. But while the diversity of IFBs make such coordination complex, it also offers many best practices and lessons learnt, ranging from data collection and deep-sea knowledge to the identification of areas in need of protection and their monitoring and enforcement, the set-up of databases and experience with cross-sectoral governance. This creates an opportunity for the BBNJ to not only draw on these practices but also to adapt, integrate, and champion them across the global ocean governance landscape.

The second Preparatory Commission Meeting discussed the topic of cooperation and coordination in the first week on Wednesday and Thursday and continued on Thursday of week 2. Different levels of interaction were discussed, including from the side of the Secretariat, the Conference of the Parties, various subsidiary bodies and the responsibility of State Parties. While delegates generally supported maintaining flexibility in modalities for interaction between BBNJ and other IFBs, some concrete ideas already circulated in the room which may vary depending on the organisation at hand: 

    • The need for formal arrangements – like Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs), but also informal arrangements 
    • Annual review meetings between the Secretariat of BBNJ and the Secretariats of the IFBs
    • Continuous and ad-hoc arrangements
    • Mutual participation at meetings of the BBNJ COP and IFBs
    • Possible interactions of the subsidiary bodies of BBNJ with IFBs and their institutions, e.g. their scientific advisory bodies
    • The linking of databases 
    • And exchanging experiences and data 

Many organisations with experience in ABNJ responded to the call of the United Nations Division on the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) to submit inputs regarding their mandates for cooperation with other bodies and established cooperative arrangements, attended the discussions, contributed with best practice examples and lessons learnt through interventions in the plenary and side events, including: The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the International Seabed Authority (ISA), the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission, and OSPAR – just to name a few.

Overall, we could see great interest by IFBs in shaping the PrepCom through participation, interventions in the plenary, and side events – and the recognition by States to integrate IFBs in the process.

Getting ready for cooperation at Prepcom2

Several Side events in the margins of the PrepCom meeting were co-organised on the topic of cooperation and coordination by current and former ANCORS affiliates.

On Monday, 25th August, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, New Zealand, the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission and the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission invited to the side event: Fisheries and the BBNJ Agreement. The event brought together fisheries experts from national, regional, and global levels to examine the implications of the BBNJ Agreement for fisheries and to discuss how fisheries considerations can be integrated into its implementation. Participants also explored opportunities to strengthen cooperation and collaboration between the BBNJ Agreement and fisheries bodies.

FAO presented its ongoing work and outlined mechanisms within the organisation to enhance coordination among international fisheries bodies (IFBs). Ms. Rhea Moss-Christian, Executive Director of the WCPFC, emphasised that tuna RFMOs and the BBNJ Agreement share the goal of conserving and sustainably using biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). She highlighted that tuna RFMOs operate under long-standing, binding mandates for high seas fisheries, supported by monitoring systems and strong scientific expertise, and stressed that future cooperation must be structured, legally coherent, practical, and science-based.

Mr. Adam Berry, Chair of the FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI), pointed to existing mechanisms within COFI that facilitate collaboration and knowledge sharing among organisations. Dr. Sinan from the Maldives underlined the deep connectivity between the ocean and small island developing states (SIDS), stressing the importance of designing effective cooperation mechanisms. Finally, Mr. Ivan Lopez, Chair of the International Coalition of Fisheries Associations, underscored the need for IFBs to be actively involved, particularly in the establishment of area-based management tools (ABMTs).

A second side event ‘Cooperation with Regional Fisheries Management Organisations: getting “BBNJ-ready”’ was co-organised by the Maldives, The Pew Charitable Trusts, the High Seas Alliance, Oceans North, Deep Sea Conservation Coalition and the University of Wollongong (Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security) (Tuesday, 26 August 2025).

The side event gathered different RFMO secretariats, namely the IOTC and NAFO, as well as the FAO and presentations by representatives of state, NGO and academia. The panel included insights into IOTC’s progress on BBNJ coordination: current work, plans, and challenges, presented by Dr. Paul De Bruyn (IOTC), NAFO’s perspective on collaboration with the BBNJ Agreement, presented by Brynhildur Benediktsdóttir, the role RFMOs will play in implementing the BBNJ Agreement, and how the FAO will support and guide this process, presented  by Alice McDonald and Initial recommendations and perspectives on BBNJ–RFMO cooperation from a civil society standpoint by Nichola Clark from the PEW charitable trusts. Dr. Hussain Sinan, ANCORS alumni and representative of the Maldives in BBNJ and IOTC negotiations presented on the Maldives proposal at the past IOTC meeting which enabled IOTC observer status in BBNJ meetings and constitutes an important pillar of interactions between BBNJ and RFMOs. “Maldives’ BBNJ-readiness proposal at IOTC: background and next steps”.

Dr. Ina Tessnow-von Wysocki, postdoctoral research fellow presented ANCORS work on a “BBNJ-RFMO engagement research”, led by Dr. Bianca Haas. Different ways of engagements between BBNJ and RFMOs were identified, including Membership overlap, geographic considerations, BBNJ discussions in the RFMO meetings and involvement with BBNJ and IFBs.

Towards entry into force

On September 19th, 2025, the threshold of 60 ratifications was reached for the Agreement to enter into force. As outlined in the agreement, entry into force happens 120 days after such threshold is met, which makes the 17th of January the official “birth date” of the BBNJ agreement. This significant milestone marks the beginning of implementation phase of the BBNJ Agreement.  While this does not come unexpectedly, yet, it is speeding up the process of the intersessional period and the preparatory commission meetings. Quite some issues remain to be agreed upon, including the decision on the location of the seat of the Secretariat, who and how many members to serve on the various subsidiary bodies and how to operationalise the Clearinghouse Mechanism. With entry into force, the Agreement becomes legally binding to all States who have ratified – which also means, if research cruises under BBNJ Parties are planned in areas beyond national jurisdiction and marine genetic resources are collected, such information needs to be shared via this centralised platform which is still under development. This Intersessional Period and the upcoming Third PrepCom in March 2026 are vital to finalise the most urgent technicalities for the new instrument to run smoothly. Busy months ahead for the Secretariat and the co-chairs, as well as the member States to finalise preparations – but also for those countries who have yet to ratify the Agreement and to be able to participate as BBNJ Parties in the first Conference of the Parties meeting, which will be held no longer than one year after entry into force.

]]> Making waves at the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference https://oceanequityresearch.org/news/making-waves-at-the-3rd-united-nations-ocean-conference/ Thu, 26 Jun 2025 00:32:15 +0000 https://oceanequityresearch.org/?p=4865

By Bianca Haas, Eric van Doorn, and Ina Tessnow-von Wysocki

Between the 9 – 13 of June 2025, the ocean community went on a pilgrimage to the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC), co-organised by Costa Rica and France, in Nice, France. This conference aimed to bring together all actors to accelerate actions to conserve and sustainably use the ocean. Among those thousands of participants were ANCORS researchers, Anais Remont, Bianca Haas, Dominique Benzaken, Erik van Doorn, and Ina Tessnow-von Wysocki. Besides current researchers, ANCORS was well represented through numerous ANCORS alumni (see, for example, below). Overall, this conference allowed actors from all across the world to reconnect or form new partnerships, which will hopefully result in actions to protect our ocean.

ANCORS alumni, from left to right: Dr Pio Manoa, Deputy Director General of the Pacific Island Forum Fisheries Agency; Dr Carole Durussel, Deputy Secretary of the OSPAR Commission Secretariat, Dr Josie Tamate, Chair of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission; Professor Transform Aqorau, Vice Chancellor of the Solomon Islands National University; Dr Filimon Manoni, Pacific Ocean Commissioner

 ANCORS researchers actively contributed to side events during UNOC. Below you will find a brief overview of these engagements.

 

Planetary boundaries

Dr Erik van Doorn co-organised a session in the European Digital Ocean Pavilion about the increased importance of the ocean in the planetary boundary’s framework. Together with Ellycia Harrould-Kolieb from the University of Melbourne, his presentation focused on the links of the framework with multilateral environmental agreements. To keep the Earth liveable for current and future generations, scientists proposed the idea of planetary boundaries. They identified nine processes of the Earth system for which they quantified a boundary, some of which have a clear marine component. Staying within these nine planetary boundaries would assure ‘a safe operating space for humanity’. Of the nine process, stratospheric ozone depletion and atmospheric loading currently lack an obvious connection with marine governance. This is very different for climate change and acidification of the ocean. Change in land use, freshwater use, biogeochemical flows and novel entities all have a terrestrial component. Most of the marine pollution comes from land, however, but the international marine governance of land-based pollution is relatively weak. Plastics comprise a category of novel entities, one that is not yet subject to a specific global regime as such but will be soon. Plastics can also contribute to climate change as a process, establishing a link between the planetary boundaries for novel entities and climate change. There now exist legal bases for the conservation of marine biosphere integrity now both within as well as beyond national jurisdiction. The session attracted an in-person audience of around fifty people and more than 400 hundred on-line.

 

Science for the implementation of the new Ocean Treaty

Dr Ina Tessnow-von Wysocki was invited to a roundtable to speak about the role of science for the implementation of the new ocean treaty, alongside other experts on the Agreement for Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), including Prof. Lisa Levin from Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Angelique Pouponneau, the lead negotiator for the Alliance of Small Island States in the BBNJ process, Prof. Alice Vadrot, political scientist at the University of Vienna and Prof. Murray Roberts from the University of Edinburgh. Dr. Ina Tessnow-von Wysocki pointed to the diversity of science and existing inequalities between the Global North and the Global South, which the BBNJ agreement will need to address and highlighted the value of cooperation in data collection and sharing among different organisations in areas beyond national jurisdiction. While science is crucial for the implementation of the new Ocean Treaty, yet, the areas of the ocean that are chosen to explore, the methods that are used, and the research questions asked differ across the world. Currently, there is a bias towards science from the Global North. There is a need to reflect on these realities in the implementation of the new agreement and when designing the new Scientific and Technical Body. The new Treaty is an opportunity to create a more inclusive knowledge base for ocean governance. Other frameworks and bodies, providing satellite, environmental, or bycatch data and information about human activities, can support the new treaty and offer an opportunity for scientific collaborations. The round table was hosted by the Plymouth Marine Laboratory, the EU Science Diplomacy Alliance, and the University of Bergen. 

Roundtable on “Ocean Futures 2030: addressing the gaps in implementing the BBNJ Agreement”

Human Rights at Sea

Dr Bianca Haas was invited by CEDMAR, the Centre for Studies on the Law of the Sea at the University of São Paulo, Brazil, to talk about the role of regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs) in supporting human rights. Alongside leading experts on human rights at sea, this event aimed to raise awareness of the importance of human rights at sea and the need to develop a more integrated approach that includes human rights across different human activities. To support this call for integration, the organisers developed the Nice Declaration on Human Rights at Sea that aims to achieve universal participation and engagement through 22 principles.  

 

Regional Fisheries Management Organisations and the High Seas Treaty

ANCORS also co-organised an event on multi-stakeholder cooperation for the high seas at the Beyond Borders Pavilion. This event was led by the High Seas Alliance, Pew Charitable Trusts, Sargasso Sea Commission, and the Tara Ocean Foundation, showcasing the voices and roles of different sectors and communities governing areas beyond national jurisdiction to ensure a more harmonious coordination and cooperation. ANCORS and the Pew Charitable Trust organised a segment, focusing on the role of regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs) in supporting the implementation of the BBNJ Agreement. Nichola Clark from the Pew Charitable Trust, Bronwen Golder from the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition, and Hussain Sinan from the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources, Maldives, talked about the challenges and opportunities for RFMOs under the BBNJ Agreement, what needs to be done to make RFMOs “BBNJ-ready” and BBNJ “RFMO-ready”, and how RFMOs and BBNJ can complement each other.

ANCORS researcher Bianca Haas, moderating the session on the role of regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs) in supporting the implementation of the BBNJ Agreement.
Expert panel, from left to right: Bronwen Golder – Deep Sea Conservation Coalition, Nichola Clark – Pew Charitable Trust, and Hussain Sinan – Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources, Maldives.

Conclusion

UNOC 3 is celebrated as a great success with a boost in commitments to conserve and sustainably use the ocean. It provided a fantastic opportunity to meet and share ideas with experts from around the world. Moving forward, we hope that these commitments are not only hollow words, but that we see real actions.

]]> Preparing the entry into force of the new Ocean Treaty – moving quickly into operationalisation https://oceanequityresearch.org/blog/preparing-the-entry-into-force-of-the-new-ocean-treaty-moving-quickly-into-operationalisation-2/ Fri, 23 May 2025 05:40:57 +0000 https://oceanequityresearch.org/?p=4802
By Ina Tessnow-von Wysocki and Hussain Sinan
ANCORS affiliates on delegations of Norway, Maldives, and Germany: f.l.t.r. Kristine Dalaker, Sarah Lothian, Hussain Sinan and Ina Tessnow-von Wysocki

Two years after the 36-hour marathon to finalise the Ocean Biodiversity agreement, delegates gathered once again in the plenary room of the United Nations headquarters in New York to prepare entry into force of the new Treaty. After the successful adoption of the new agreement for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ), the United Nations gathered for the Preparatory Commission meeting for entry into force of the new Biodiversity Treaty between April 14-25, 2025. Delegates moved quickly through all topics of the two weeks, marked by general agreement to guide further work towards implementation of the agreement. The Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS) was represented in the negotiations on different national delegations.

Moving quickly through agenda items

Different informal working groups met to discuss the 3 overall “clusters” relating to Governance, Clearinghouse Mechanism and Financial Rules. Broad agreement across the session was seen, with the conference closing early on Friday.

Secretariat and Meetings of the Conference of the Parties (COPs)

On multiple days throughout the two-week conference, discussions evolved around the future Secretariat of BBNJ. Ideas were exchanged about the size and structure, the possible relationship to the UN and headquarter arrangements, its legal capacity and considerations on cooperation with other frameworks and bodies. While all different possible models remain on the table, a tendency towards preference for some link to the UN while having large autonomy, as on the case of the UNFCCC was voiced by the majority of delegations. The seat of the secretariat was discussed and two possible options – Belgium and Chile explored with countries discussing separate elements and naming the importance of certain services, rather than highlighting any preferences for a location.

Initial discussions about the frequency and location of COP meetings began, with ideas to have annual meetings in the initial phase and transition into every two years once yearly discussions are no longer necessary. Budgetary cycles could be independent from the meeting cycles of the COP meetings. The format of meetings was agreed to be ideally in person, unless an emergency arises, where COP meetings could take place virtually with remaining questions on voting. Delegates were more open to virtual (hybrid or online) meetings of subsidiary bodies and intersessionally.

Subsidiary Bodies

As set out in the agreement, BBNJ will establish new institutional arrangements which need further refinement in relation to their size, composition, selection of members and functioning.

The BBBNJ establishes the following subsidiary bodies and mechanisms to support implementation:

Committees

  • The Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) Committee
  • The Capacity Building and Transfer of Marine Technology (CBTMT) Committee
  • The Finance Committee
  • The Implementation and Compliance (ICC) Committee

Bodies & mechanisms

  • The Scientific and Technical Body (STB)
  • The Clearing-House Mechanism (CHM)

One discussion point was whether to orientate the rules of procedure for the committees on the basis of the rules of procedure for the Conference of the Parties (COP). General agreement was made that they can be applied mutatis mutandis, at least in the initial phase, but that some additional rules will be needed regarding the specifics of each subsidiary body. Most delegations voiced that subsidiary bodies will have limited membership, with expert knowledge, operating in an objective manner. How many members will serve on the bodies will need to meet equitable geographical representation and gender balance, while being small enough to stay functional. Generally, there was agreement of the value of limiting terms of members and hold staggered elections to not renew the entirety of members of a subsidiary body at the same time and keep institutional knowledge. Each committee was discussed separately, and views expressed by delegations. Transparency, inclusivity and cost-efficiency were mentioned as being key when designing these bodies.  Intersessional work and technical assistance will be needed from now until the next meeting in August 2025 and beyond. 

Preliminary characteristics & modalities of subsidiary bodies based on PrepCom 1 discussions:

 

Scientific and Technical Body (STB)

Selection criteria: members serving in their expert capacity, nominated by Parties, elected by COP, suitable qualifications (not defined), taking into account need for multidisciplinary expertise, incl. relevant scientific and technical expertise and expertise in relevant traditional knowledge of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, gender balance and equitable geographical representation.

Possibility for roster of experts; and IPLC advisory group (as part of STB or potentially separate).

May include: marine biology, oceanography, Env. Science, Social Science, Law, relevant traditional knowledge of Indigenous Peoples and local communities and other relevant fields (in package elements).

Number of members: majority supports limited number.

Terms of office: preference for limited terms, staggered elections.

Cooperation: Possible engagement with other subsidiary bodies, as well as with other scientific and technical bodies of other agreements, other relevant scientific institutions and other relevant bodies and frameworks.

 

The Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) Committee

Selection criteria: appropriate qualifications in related fields (examples from Plant Treaty).

Number of members: 15

Selection: nominated by Parties, elected by COP, gender balance and equitable geographical distribution and providing for representation on the Committee from developing States, incl. from least developed countries, SIDS and from landlocked developing countries.

Terms of office: preference for limited terms, staggered elections.

Cooperation with other Sub-bodies, particularly with the Finance Committee, the STB and the CHM.

 

The Implementation and Compliance (ICC) Committee

Selection criteria: ‘appropriate qualifications and experience’, nominated by Parties, elected by the COP, gender balance and equitable geographical representation.

Characteristics: non-punitive and non-adversarial.

 

The Capacity Building and Transfer of Marine Technology (CBTMT) Committee

Selection Criteria: Multidisciplinary expertise, ‘manageable number of members’, gender balance and equitable geographical representation, including from SIDS and landlocked developing countries.

Characteristics: proactive, guidelines for needs assessments, monitoring and review, mobilisation of funds.

Collaboration with IFBs, involvement of civil society and Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities.

Cooperation with CHM and STB, modalities to facilitate cooperation with other IFBs, including under CBD ABS and regarding Digital Sequence Information.

Terms of office: preference for limited terms, staggered elections.

 

Finance Committee

Selection: appropriate qualifications/expertise, gender balance, equitable geographical distribution.

Cooperation: With other Sub-bodies, particularly with the CBTMT Committee.

Discussions started on the Scientific and Technical Body (STB) regarding its size, composition, selection of members. First ideas about possible size of the STB were exchanged, with preferences ranging between a large body (each state party) and a rather small body (approx. 30 members) with the option to draw upon external knowledge. Greater support was voiced for a smaller body. Most delegations refrained from naming specific expertise, with general agreement on a broad and multidisciplinary body with the option to draw on external expertise from a roster of experts (or establish working groups on specific issues, where needed). Questions remain as to how to select the experts to reflect the required diversity, expertise and equitable geographical representation and gender balance. The idea was raised to have an Indigenous Peoples and local communities Advisory group, which could also be a standalone group to advise more generally on all aspects of the agreement – not limited to recommendations to the STB. This could be a way to allow self-nominations of traditional knowledge holders, who, as mentioned in a side event on traditional knowledge, generally nominate themselves and would not serve in their positions when ‘nominated by Parties’, as it is the case for members of all subsidiary bodies. 

The Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) Committee has its number of 15 members established in the Treaty. As the aim of the committee is to support access and benefit sharing of marine genetic resources (MGRs), experiences from other agreements, including the Plant Treaty on Genetic Resources and interlinkages with other bodies and frameworks under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) will be needed.

The Capacity Building and the Transfer of Marine Technology (CBTMT) Committee is meant to incorporate multidisciplinary expertise, act proactively, and assist in developing guidelines for needs assessments, as well as in monitoring and review, and mobilisation of funds. Cooperation with other sub bodies, in particular with the Clearing-House Mechanism and the Scientific and Technical Body will be crucial. Such collaboration will also be needed with other frameworks and bodies will be crucial, including under the Convention on Biological Diversity, as well as the involvement of civil society and Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, When considering the composition of the CBTMT committee, it was highlighted by delegates to keep it to a “manageable number”, while ensuring gender balance and equitable geographical representation, including from different States groups, such as Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs).

The Implementation and Compliance Committee (ICC) is supposed to facilitate the success of the agreement after its entry into force. While there is agreement that such a committee cannot punish non-compliance and should rather serve in a non-punitive and non-adversarial manner, details about composition in regard to conflicts of interest, and how to portray the special circumstance of SIDS, and situations of LDCS and LLDCs, as well as represent gender balance and equitable geographical distribution will still require further deliberation.

The Nervous System of the BBNJ Agreement – the Clearing-House Mechanism (CHM)

The Clearing-House Mechanism will be central for implementation of the BBNJ agreement and ensure transparency and accountability. As defined in the BBNJ Agreement, such as mechanism aims to be a centralised infrastructure, and associated practices, that facilitate the digital exchange of information among diverse stakeholders, while enabling a broader set of users to directly register and access information. The Clearing-House Mechanism (CHM) was discussed at several days of the conference session. While not mandated for COP1, delegations voiced the need for the CHM to be set up and ready as soon as the agreement enters into force. While it is clear that a cost-effective design is preferred and interoperability will be needed, technical details will eventually require technical experts to figure out the nitty-gritty part of the agreement. Ideas by Parties included a multilingual, interoperable design of the CHM and to guarantee special requirements to State Parties, sustained capacity building, a dedicated section of the mechanism for SIDS in form of an individual tab on the website. It is envisioned to serve as a centralised platform for ABS, generate the batch identifier for MGRs and match CBTMT needs with available capacity. To carry out its functions, it will need to be appropriately financed, include human resources and expertise and will need to effectively collaborate with other subsidiary bodies, as well as with other international frameworks and bodies. Moreover, it is envisioned to facilitate access to traditional knowledge (TK) of IPLCs. An incremental and phased approach might be needed to meet the expectations the CHM sets out. A pilot or interim phase was suggested by Parties to begin with the design and test it before entry into force of the agreement in order to ensure smooth operation when 60 countries have ratified. The idea was raised to establish intersessional work to further prepare the technicalities, with formalities of such a group yet to be decided. Prior to the next PrepCom Meeting in August, the Secretariat will provide a flowchart explaining data flows and interlinkages of the CHM with other bodies.

Funding implementation

It is well understood that the implementation of the BBNJ agreement will require initial and consistent long-term financing. Across the two weeks, preliminary discussions took place on the Finance committee, financial rules and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Global Environment Facility (GEF). Prior to the session, the Co-chairs provided an overview of different models, which could serve as potential examples – including options to be independent (as in the case of the ISA) versus incorporated into the UN system, with accountability over financial issues to the UN General Secretary (like with UNFCCC), or the head of the secretariat (as the Basel/Stockholm/Rotterdam and Minamata model), or the option to have a trust fund, managed by a different organisation, as in the case of the CBD (see aid to discussions provided by UNDOALOS). The model to which the financial rules will apply, therefore will depend on the model which is chosen for the Secretariat. Delegates highlighted the need for finance to be predictable, new, and additional, with effective participation of recipient countries, accounting for special requirements of SIDS. Regarding the Special fund, inspiration can be drawn from other instruments and the importance of minimising administrative burden and building on experience of trust funds was voiced. Further intersessional work on financial resources and the financial mechanism will be needed, also in regard to the ecological fund (52.5).

Cooperation with other institutions

BBNJ will need to find its place alongside already existing frameworks and bodies covering different geographical areas and sectors of international waters and biodiversity governance. Other IFBs, including the the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the International Seabed Authority (ISA), the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) and the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) were present and participated in discussions in the plenary and in side events on how to “not undermine”, and still “enhance cooperation and coordination”. Constructive contributions to the debate included examples of cooperation with other bodies and existing instruments that may provide examples of establishing links or examples of data needed for BBNJ (such as the CBD CHM on ABS and biosafety). Parties agreed to BBNJ being mutually supportive and non-duplicative.

First Preparatory Commission Meeting for Entry into Force of the BBNJ Agreement

Looking ahead – Unresolved Issues and what to expect from the Intersessional Period & PrepCom2.


Further clarity will be needed in how to represent equitable geographical representation in the different committees of the agreement and whether this implies the individual person being represented from a specific group (e.g. women, SIDS, or traditional knowledge holders) or whether focus should be put on their interests and knowledge to be represented in these bodies. Suggestions included representing the 5 regions of the UN (Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean and the Western Europe and Other States), some States called for additional seats for specific groups of States, including SIDS, LDCs, LLDCs and archipelagic States, as well as for representatives of traditional knowledge of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. Discussions started with preliminary views on how interaction among the Secretariat, the CHM and the subsidiary bodies, as well as their interaction with other bodies could take shape. While some ideas were flagged, including to link scientific and technical bodies among themselves, having data exchanges among different CHMs, or the direct interaction between secretariats through MoUs or also informally, a concrete roadmap how BBNJ could be the catalyst for cooperation remains to be thought through.

Open questions also remain regarding traditional knowledge of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) and interaction in subsidiary bodies, such as the STB. The idea for an advisory group was voiced to provide recommendations and support implementation of the treaty. Discussions surrounding the representation of traditional knowledge holders pointed to the preference for self-nomination (as opposed to being nominated by others, as foreseen in the BBNJ text – “nominated by Parties”), which the advisory group could provide for.

The Secretariat will develop a number of materials in the intersessional period in the lead-up of PrepCom2.

  • Matrix for criteria for the Secretariat
  • Flow chart for CHM
  • Working group for CHM

 

The Upcoming PrepCom is scheduled for 18-29th August, 2025, in New York, where remaining issues will be taken up, such as to further elaborate on the issues of cooperation and coordination with other bodies. A new document, based on PrepCom1 discussions will be prepared by the Secretariat, serving as a basis for discussions for the upcoming meeting.

Sources:

BBNJ Agreement (2023). Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction.. A/CONF.232/2023/4. https://www.un.org/bbnjagreement/en/bbnj-agreement/text-bbnj-agreement

Official documents in preparation for the First Preparatory Commission Meeting:

United Nations Website: https://www.un.org/bbnjagreement/en/meetings/preparatory-commission/documents/first-session

]]> ‘Negotiating the Ocean’ on ABC Illawara Radio https://oceanequityresearch.org/news/negotiating-the-ocean-on-abc-illawara-radio/ Tue, 01 Apr 2025 08:27:59 +0000 https://oceanequityresearch.org/?p=4255

To listen to the radio show here: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/illawarra-mornings/mornings/105111484

ANCORS researchers Dr. Ina Tessnow-von Wysocki, Dr. Bianca Haas and podcast producer Jennifer Macey gave an interview with the local radio show ABC Illawarra this morning about their new Podcast: Negotiating the Ocean.  The Morning show presented by Nick Rheinberger reports on the local stories of the day, and keeps up to date with everything that’s happening in the Illawarra Region.

]]> ‘Negotiating the Ocean’, Launch of new ANCORS Ocean Equity Podcast https://oceanequityresearch.org/news/negotiating-the-ocean-launch-of-new-ancors-ocean-equity-podcast/ Fri, 28 Mar 2025 00:54:10 +0000 https://oceanequityresearch.org/?p=4218

To listen to Negotiating the Ocean, visit: https://open.spotify.com/show/2ygQz4DwYEBWOBMxFm46RV?si=63b64870b4544925

The Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS) is hosting a new Podcast on Ocean Equity: Negotiating the Ocean. It will cover various international ocean negotiations, particularly on Marine Biodiversity, Fisheries and Deep-Sea Mining.

Ocean negotiations are necessary to ensure the effective management of transboundary marine resources, and the conservation and protection of deep-sea marine biodiversity and ecosystems. Marine biodiversity, fisheries, deep-sea mining, climate change, and pollution are all inherently international and require cooperation at multiple levels. In an interconnected ocean, governance cannot be successful when conducted in silos and the complexity of ocean governance with its multiple actors can be difficult to grasp. The podcast informs listeners about current issues and connects the different negotiation fora where decisions on the future of our ocean are taken, explores equity concerns and provides recommendations for a transformative future ocean governance.

This podcast is an open-source discussion on current negotiations, enabling a more inclusive understanding for those who cannot attend international meetings, as well as providing an information base for new diplomats, representatives of different intergovernmental organisations and researchers with an interest in ocean-related negotiations. We intend for the podcast to provide a refresher on individual topics and valuable preparation for those involved or interested in understanding how these topics matter to each and every one of us and what is at stake.

Hosts:

In the first episode we meet some of the ANCORS researchers working on different aspects of Ocean Equity.

What does Ocean Equity mean to them and why is it so important in ocean negotiations?

In this Episode you will meet ANCORS researchers…

 

‘Equity is not just an outcome but a process. It’s an ongoing activity.’

Quentin Hanich, Professor at ANCORS, leading the Fisheries Governance Program

 

‘Four key principles of ocean equity… achieving fairness, respecting rights, preventing harm, supporting flourishing.’

Michelle Voyer, Assoc.-Professor at ANCORS, leading the Blue Futures Program

 

‘I’m really motivated by that idea of intergenerational equity. […] I think that is such a responsibility that we have to try and do what we can now to minimise that impact for the countless millions of people that are still ahead of us to live their lives.’

Freya Croft, Post-doctoral Researcher, ANCORS

‘In the regime on deep-seabed mining ocean equity is about collective resource management and the sharing of benefits. […] My work looks at how to make sure that the management of deep ocean mineral resources is based on good governance principles, such as transparency and public participation.’                                 

Aline Jaeckel, Associate Professor at ANCORS

 

‘The big equity issue that we face at the moment is climate change.’

Kamal Azmi, Senior Research Fellow, ANCORS & Coordinator of the Graduate Certificate in Fisheries Management and Development

 

‘Ocean equity is where there is a platform for voices to not only be heard but validated. […] In western scholarship, we are very much trained to maintain an objective perspective, which has a tendency to disconnect us from our environment and the ocean. In other cultures, this disconnection does not always exist, but the connection is very much alive.’                                               

Randa Sacedon, ANCORS Research Fellow

 

‘I feel like it’s such a little thing to give back by just working in this space and making sure that I advocate for those who can’t speak for themselves, both human and non-human.’

Makrita Solitei, Associate Research Fellow, ANCORS

 

To listen to Negotiating the Ocean, visit: https://open.spotify.com/show/2ygQz4DwYEBWOBMxFm46RV?si=63b64870b4544925

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