Archives
3rd Session of the Preparatory Commission for the Entry into Force of the BBNJ Agreement and the Convening of the 1st Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Agreement
Delegates met to prepare a set of draft decisions and documents to pave the way for the smooth operationalization of the Agreement. While they reached agreement on many issues, there were disagreements on the rules of procedure, the subsidiary bodies, and the financial rules and regulations.
2nd Session of the Preparatory Commission for the Entry into Force of the BBNJ Agreement and the Convening of the 1st Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Agreement
The Preparatory Commission deliberated on governance issues, operation of the Clearing-House Mechanism, and financial rules, resources, and the financial mechanism to prepare for the imminent entry into force of the High Seas Treaty (BBNJ Agreement).
1st Session of the Preparatory Commission for the Entry into Force of the BBNJ Agreement and the Convening of the 1st Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Agreement
Preparing for the entry into force of the BBNJ Agreement, delegates addressed the nuts and bolts that will guide its orderly implementation, including rules of procedure, arrangements for the Secretariat, funding, arrangements with the Global Environment Facility and operationalization of the Clearing-House Mechanism.
Organizational Meeting of the Preparatory Commission for the Entry Into Force of the BBNJ Agreement and the Convening of the 1st Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Agreement
Discussions over the work programme took up most of the three-day meeting, with a focus on governance and financial issues to be addressed by the Conference of the Parties once the Agreement enters into force. The next meeting is expected to be in April 2025.
Further resumed 5th Session of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) on BBNJ
Expected by many to be a game changer in Ocean governance, a new legally binding agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) was adopted by consensus at UN Headquarters in New York after 17 years of negotiations.
Resumed 5th Session of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) on BBNJ
Governments agreed on a draft treaty on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction. The eventual treaty will address exploitation of marine genetic resources, including benefit-sharing; establish area-based management tools, such as marine protected areas; set procedures for environmental impact assessments; and provide capacity building and transfer of marine technology.
5th Session of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) on the BBNJ
Despite more progress at this two-week session than over the last decade, delegates were unable to reach consensus on a new high seas treaty addressing marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction and, instead, suspended the session, to be resumed in early 2023. (View coverage of the resumed BBNJ talks in late February - early March 2023)
4th Session of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) on the BBNJ
At the most productive meeting so far, “unprecedented progress” was made in discussions on marine genetic resources, including benefit sharing, area-based management tools, including marine protected areas, environmental impact assessments, and capacity building and the transfer of marine technology.
Intersessional Work of the BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference
Following more than a decade of discussions convened under the United Nations General Assembly, the Assembly, in resolution 72/249 of 24 December 2017, decided to convene an IGC on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction with a view to developing a legally binding instrument as soon as possible.