Ocean Equity Research

BBNJ Ratification process: Perspectives and experiences from SIDS (Webinar #3)

Webinar Details

This session was moderated by Gemma Nelson. In this webinar Mrs. Tasha Nicole Cain showed Belize’s process of ratifying the BBNJ treaty, highlighting key steps and challenges. In addition, Ms. Elisiva Akauola spoke about how regional bodies are supporting effective treaty implementation across the Pacific region.  

Webinar Link

BBNJ Ratification process: Perspectives and experiences from SIDS

 

Webinar Project Details

The project aims to ensure SIDS maintain a leadership role in ensuring the equitable and effective conservation of biodiversity in marine areas beyond national jurisdiction. The objective is to strengthen capacity in SIDS for (i) rapid ratification and (ii) equitable and effective implementation of the BBNJ Agreement.

Background

The newly adopted United Nations BBNJ treaty provides a crucial new framework to enable the conservation of marine biodiversity and ecosystem services in two thirds of the ocean that lie beyond national jurisdiction. It has been more than 20 years in the making, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have been strong proponents for an ambitious treaty to implement conservation measures and achieve equitable outcomes. There is a sense of urgency to have this new instrument to enter into force given the global biodiversity and climate change related crises. SIDS, comprising 39 states, are crucial to achieving the rapid entry into force and must maintain a leadership role in the BBNJ process to enable effective and equitable implementation of the treaty.

Focus areas:

  1. Ratification:
    1.  National and regional support in (i) CARICOM and (ii) Atlantic and Indian Ocean SIDS (AIS);
    2. Knowledge and information exchange across SIDS in CARICOM, AIS and Pacific regions.
  2. Preparing for implementation:
    1. Cross-regional SIDS networking and knowledge exchange including webinars and events;
    2. Papers and policy briefs on technical aspects;
    3. Support SIDS experts (researchers, technical experts, thought-leaders) in raising awareness, contributing to national/regional ratification processes, and strengthening capacity.

Timeframe: Dec 2023 – Dec 2025

 

Contacts:

Overall: Bianca Haas bhaas@uow.edu.au

Cross Regional Lead: Vanessa Lopes vplopes@su.suffolk.edu

CARICOM Lead: Nellie Catzim ncatzim@gmail.com

AIS Lead: Sheena Talma sheenatalma@gmail.com

 

Project hosted at ANCORS, University of Wollongong.

 

Funding information:

The SIDS project is supported by the Bloomberg Ocean Initiative and Arcadia.

This initiative is part of a series of projects under a $10 million pledge from Bloomberg Philanthropies and nine other philanthropies to support developing nations with policy and technical capacity building assistance to accelerate ratification and early implementation of the treaty to  protect biodiversity in the world’s High Seas.