NATIONAL JURISDICTIONBBNJ Agreement • June 28th, 2024
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), also known as the “Treaty of the High Seas”, is key to:
Germany Among the First Countries to Sign the BBNJ AgreementBBNJ Agreement • September 21st, 2023
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) was formally adopted by an
The BBNJ Agreement was adopted byBBNJ Agreement • July 10th, 2024
the BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference on June 19, 2023, at the United Nations, and the United States signed the BBNJ Agreement on September 20, 2023, the day it opened for signature. In April 2024, the United Nations established a Preparatory Commission to prepare for the entry into force of the Agreement and to prepare for the convening of the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Agreement. An Organizational Meeting of the Preparatory Commission was held at the United Nations June 24–26, 2024.
Cross-cutting issuesBBNJ Agreement • July 27th, 2021
Within the BBNJ Agreement, there is a need for robust implementation and compliance mechanisms in order to effectively deliver the broader goal of conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ).
4th IGC-BBNJ - March 18th, 2022 - Philippe Raposo (Brazil)BBNJ Agreement • March 18th, 2022
ContractBBNJ Agreement • January 2nd, 2022
Cruise Tourism and the BBNJ AgreementBBNJ Agreement • August 29th, 2020
Cruise tourism is growing in popularity and this is an expanding sector globally. The Caribbean is one of the most popular cruise destinations in the world, generating economic revenue and creating jobs that contribute to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of many Caribbean countries. According to the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association, in 2018 within Caribbean and Latin American destinations, cruise tourism generated 3.36 billion USD in direct expenditures and also created 78,954 jobs. Nonetheless, despite the economic benefits, the relative cost-benefit of cruise tourism to the Caribbean has been questioned, especially when compared to other forms of tourism.
Cross-cutting issuesBBNJ Agreement • June 28th, 2022
Within the BBNJ Agreement, there is a need for robust implementation and compliance mechanisms in order to effectively deliver the broader goal of conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). Implementation and compliance mechanisms form an essential part of today’s international and multilateral environmental agreements and are a necessary tool to ensure that these agreements achieve their objectives. In addition, they are an important tool in addition to traditional means of dispute resolution under international law such as arbitration and litigation, which can be expensive, time- consuming, and confrontational.
BBNJ Agreement: Background and ObjectivesBBNJ Agreement • May 1st, 2023
Panel Discussion on "Tuna Fisheries in BOB Region: Emerging Challenges under Changing Climate and BBNJ Regime" on the occasion of World Tuna Day, BOBP-IGO, 2nd May 2023
Migratory Species andBBNJ Agreement • August 29th, 2020
Movements of currents as well as migratory animals help to connect all parts of the ocean. More than 800 marine migratory species of fish, seabirds, marine mammals and sea turtles have been identified in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ) and many straddle jurisdictional boundaries. Migratory species depend on ocean ecosystems for breeding and foraging as well as the pathways which connect these ecosystems, which may straddle territorial waters and ABNJ. Transportation of larvae via ocean currents also helps to connect marine ecosystems and ensures they remain resilient and productive. Even amongst coral reefs, larvae can be transported beyond Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) and into ABNJ, which creates connectivity between ecosystems and links habitats across multiple spatial scales.
The Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement)BBNJ Agreement • September 9th, 2024
• Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 (adopted on 28 July 1994; entered into force on 28 July 1996)
WILL THE BBNJ AGREEMENT SUPPORT EFFORTS TO MITIGATE THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON HIGH SEAS BIODIVERSITY?BBNJ Agreement • April 19th, 2021
This paper explores the question of whether and to what extent the BBNJ Agreement, currently under negotiation under the auspices of the UN, will provide opportunities to develop and support measures relating to the mitigation of, and adaptation to, the impacts of climate change and ocean acidification on high seas biodiversity and ecosystems. While there are obvious connections between the BBNJ Agreement and climate, particularly in respect of the parts related to area-based protection and environmental impact assessment, this paper will critically examine more generally the extent to which the BBNJ agreement provides an opportunity to connect the law of the sea and the climate regime and to integrate climate concerns into high seas decision-making affecting biodiversity and ecosystems.
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 jurisdictionBBNJ Agreement • May 13th, 2024
Shipping andBBNJ Agreement • August 29th, 2020
The shipping industry supports economies worldwide by transporting raw materials, oil and gas and other products to industries, businesses and homes. Within the Caribbean, maritime transport remains the most feasible mode of transport for goods for export and import such as petroleum products, bauxite, cement and other raw materials. The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) reports that Caribbean’s level of foreign trade amounts to as much as 78% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as compared to 25% for Latin America. The shipping industry is instrumental for economic development and facilitates the continuous growth of trade and improvement of living standards.
The BBNJ Agreement provides a vital opportunity to better integrate biodiversity protection with climate change action in ABNJ to help limit the global temperature increase to 1.5 oC.BBNJ Agreement • February 16th, 2023
The ocean and its biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction serve as the planet’s greatest mitigator of climate change by removing over 90% of the Earth’s excess heat and over 25% of excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This makes it crucial for BBNJ and climate change policy to work together.
Fisheries andBBNJ Agreement • August 29th, 2020
Globally, many coastal communities depend on the fishing industry for food and income and this especially important in the Caribbean. Within the CARICOM region, fisheries are important for food security, local livelihoods and employment, and also contribute to Gross Domestic Product (GDP). At least 64,000 people are directly employed in small-scale fisheries and aquaculture with even more (180,000) being involved in other sectors along the value chain such as fish processing, retailing, boat construction and net repairs.
The BBNJ (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction) AgreementBBNJ Agreement • August 2nd, 2024
