World Oceans Day

 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 adopted on 19 June 2023 by the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction convened under the auspices of the United Nations, and entered into force on 17 January 2026. The General Assembly established, in resolution 78/272, 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. Item 5 (continued) Operationalization of other provisions on financial resources and mechanism (Cluster III, Issue 10) - Special Fund Related Sites and Documents:  Website  &  Proposed organization of work (pdf) . Watch the Preparatory Commission: Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisd...

The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement , also known as the " High Seas Treaty ," is a legally binding UN treaty adopted in 2023 that entered into force on January 17, 2026. It aims to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in international waters—covering nearly half the Earth's surface—via, among others, the establishment of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and environmental impact assessments .   Related Sites and Documents:  Concept Note .   Watch the Ocean Intelligence 2.0: Deep Technology in Support of BBNJ Implementation! Meetings & Events

   The second session of the Commission is scheduled to be held from 18 to 29 August 2025 at United Nations Headquarters in New York. Credentials of representatives (item 6) Other matters (item 7) Closure (item 8) The BBNJ Agreement addresses four main issues: Marine genetic resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits; Measures such as area-based management tools, including marine protected areas; Environmental impact assessments; and Capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology. In its resolution 78/272, the General Assembly decided to establish a preparatory commission 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 and to prepare for the convening of the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Agreement. Pursuant to General Assembly decision 78/560, the first s...

The second session of the Commission is scheduled to be held from 18 to 29 August 2025 at United Nations Headquarters in New York. Item 5 (continued) Reporting back on parallel meetings Rules of Procedure of the Conference of the Parties (Cluster I: Issue 1) The BBNJ Agreement addresses four main issues: Marine genetic resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits; Measures such as area-based management tools, including marine protected areas; Environmental impact assessments; and Capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology. In its resolution 78/272, the General Assembly decided to establish a preparatory commission 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 and to prepare for the convening of the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Agreement. Pursuant to General A...

 The second session of the Commission is scheduled to be held from 18 to 29 August 2025 at United Nations Headquarters in New York. Item 5 (continued) Arrangements for the functioning of the secretariat, including its seat (Cluster I, Issue 4) The BBNJ Agreement addresses four main issues: Marine genetic resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits; Measures such as area-based management tools, including marine protected areas; Environmental impact assessments; and Capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology. In its resolution 78/272, the General Assembly decided to establish a preparatory commission 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 and to prepare for the convening of the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Agreement. Pursuant to General Assembly dec...

The Sargasso Sea Commission will share experiences from over a decade of work to conserve the Sargasso Sea, which is directly related to part III of the agreement on area-based management tools Watch the Navigating the BBNJ agreement: Sargasso Sea experience (BBNJ prepcomm2 side event)! . Meetings & Events

The second session of the Commission is scheduled to be held from 18 to 29 August 2025 at United Nations Headquarters in New York. Item 5 (continued) Reporting back on parallel meetings Terms of Reference and modalities for the operation of, and rules of procedure for, the subsidiary bodies (Cluster I: Issue 2) Selection process for the members of the Scientific and Technical Body and the other subsidiary bodies (Cluster I: Issue 3) The BBNJ Agreement addresses four main issues: Marine genetic resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits; Measures such as area-based management tools, including marine protected areas; Environmental impact assessments; and Capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology. In its resolution 78/272, the General Assembly decided to establish a preparatory commission 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 Biol...

 The second session of the Commission is scheduled to be held from 18 to 29 August 2025 at United Nations Headquarters in New York. Item 5 (continued) Arrangements to enhance cooperation with relevant legal instruments and frameworks and relevant global, regional, subregional and sectoral bodies (Cluster I: Issue 6) The BBNJ Agreement addresses four main issues: Marine genetic resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits; Measures such as area-based management tools, including marine protected areas; Environmental impact assessments; and Capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology. In its resolution 78/272, the General Assembly decided to establish a preparatory commission 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 and to prepare for the convening of the first meeting of the Co...

  The second session of the Commission is scheduled to be held from 18 to 29 August 2025 at United Nations Headquarters in New York. Item 5 (continued) Arrangements to enhance cooperation with relevant legal instruments and frameworks and relevant global, regional, subregional and sectoral bodies (Cluster I: Issue 6) The BBNJ Agreement addresses four main issues: Marine genetic resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits; Measures such as area-based management tools, including marine protected areas; Environmental impact assessments; and Capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology. In its resolution 78/272, the General Assembly decided to establish a preparatory commission 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 and to prepare for the convening of the first meeting of the C...

 The second session of the Commission is scheduled to be held from 18 to 29 August 2025 at United Nations Headquarters in New York. Item 5 (continued) Arrangements to enhance cooperation with relevant legal instruments and frameworks and relevant global, regional, subregional and sectoral bodies (Cluster I: Issue 6) The BBNJ Agreement addresses four main issues: Marine genetic resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits; Measures such as area-based management tools, including marine protected areas; Environmental impact assessments; and Capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology. In its resolution 78/272, the General Assembly decided to establish a preparatory commission 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 and to prepare for the convening of the first meeting of the Co...

The second session of the Commission is scheduled to be held from 18 to 29 August 2025 at United Nations Headquarters in New York. Item 5 (continued) Arrangements to enhance cooperation with relevant legal instruments and frameworks and relevant global, regional, subregional and sectoral bodies (Cluster I: Issue 6) The BBNJ Agreement addresses four main issues: Marine genetic resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits; Measures such as area-based management tools, including marine protected areas; Environmental impact assessments; and Capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology. In its resolution 78/272, the General Assembly decided to establish a preparatory commission 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 and to prepare for the convening of the first meeting of the Conf...

  The second session of the Commission is scheduled to be held from 18 to 29 August 2025 at United Nations Headquarters in New York. Item 5 (continued) Terms of Reference and modalities for the operation of, and rules of procedure for, the subsidiary bodies (Cluster I: Issue 2) Selection process for the members of the Scientific and Technical Body and the other subsidiary bodies (Cluster I: Issue 3) The BBNJ Agreement addresses four main issues: Marine genetic resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits; Measures such as area-based management tools, including marine protected areas; Environmental impact assessments; and Capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology. In its resolution 78/272, the General Assembly decided to establish a preparatory commission 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 ...

  The second session of the Commission is scheduled to be held from 18 to 29 August 2025 at United Nations Headquarters in New York. Item 5 (continued) Arrangements to enhance cooperation with relevant legal instruments and frameworks and relevant global, regional, subregional and sectoral bodies (Cluster I: Issue 6) The BBNJ Agreement addresses four main issues: Marine genetic resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits; Measures such as area-based management tools, including marine protected areas; Environmental impact assessments; and Capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology. In its resolution 78/272, the General Assembly decided to establish a preparatory commission 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 and to prepare for the convening of the first meeting of the C...

 The second session of the Commission is scheduled to be held from 18 to 29 August 2025 at United Nations Headquarters in New York. Item 5 (continued) Reporting back on parallel meetings Modalities for the operation of the Clearing-House Mechanism (Cluster II, Issue 7) The BBNJ Agreement addresses four main issues: Marine genetic resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits; Measures such as area-based management tools, including marine protected areas; Environmental impact assessments; and Capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology. In its resolution 78/272, the General Assembly decided to establish a preparatory commission 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 and to prepare for the convening of the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Agreement. Pursua...

  The second session of the Commission is scheduled to be held from 18 to 29 August 2025 at United Nations Headquarters in New York. Item 5 (continued) Reporting requirements (Cluster I: Issue 5) The BBNJ Agreement addresses four main issues: Marine genetic resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits; Measures such as area-based management tools, including marine protected areas; Environmental impact assessments; and Capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology. In its resolution 78/272, the General Assembly decided to establish a preparatory commission 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 and to prepare for the convening of the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Agreement. Pursuant to General Assembly decision 78/560, the first session of the Comm...

  The second session of the Commission is scheduled to be held from 18 to 29 August 2025 at United Nations Headquarters in New York. Item 5 (continued) Reporting back on parallel meetings Arrangements for the functioning of the secretariat, including its seat (Cluster I, Issue 4) The BBNJ Agreement addresses four main issues: Marine genetic resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits; Measures such as area-based management tools, including marine protected areas; Environmental impact assessments; and Capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology. In its resolution 78/272, the General Assembly decided to establish a preparatory commission 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 and to prepare for the convening of the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Agreem...

 The second session of the Commission is scheduled to be held from 18 to 29 August 2025 at United Nations Headquarters in New York. Item 5 (continued) Modalities for the operation of the Clearing-House Mechanism (Cluster II, Issue 7) The BBNJ Agreement addresses four main issues: Marine genetic resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits; Measures such as area-based management tools, including marine protected areas; Environmental impact assessments; and Capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology. In its resolution 78/272, the General Assembly decided to establish a preparatory commission 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 and to prepare for the convening of the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Agreement. Pursuant to General Assembly decision 78/5...

The second session of the Commission is scheduled to be held from 18 to 29 August 2025 at United Nations Headquarters in New York. Item 5 (continued) Reporting back on parallel meetings Terms of Reference and modalities for the operation of, and rules of procedure for, the subsidiary bodies (Cluster I: Issue 2) Selection process for the members of the Scientific and Technical Body and the other subsidiary bodies (Cluster I: Issue 3) The BBNJ Agreement addresses four main issues: Marine genetic resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits; Measures such as area-based management tools, including marine protected areas; Environmental impact assessments; and Capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology. In its resolution 78/272, the General Assembly decided to establish a preparatory commission 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 Biolo...

  The second session of the Commission is scheduled to be held from 18 to 29 August 2025 at United Nations Headquarters in New York. Item 5 (continued) Arrangements for the functioning of the secretariat, including its seat (Cluster I, Issue 4) The BBNJ Agreement addresses four main issues: Marine genetic resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits; Measures such as area-based management tools, including marine protected areas; Environmental impact assessments; and Capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology. In its resolution 78/272, the General Assembly decided to establish a preparatory commission 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 and to prepare for the convening of the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Agreement. Pursuant to General Assembly de...

 The second session of the Commission is scheduled to be held from 18 to 29 August 2025 at United Nations Headquarters in New York. Item 5 (continued) Modalities for the operation of the Clearing-House Mechanism (Cluster II, Issue 7) The BBNJ Agreement addresses four main issues: Marine genetic resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits; Measures such as area-based management tools, including marine protected areas; Environmental impact assessments; and Capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology. In its resolution 78/272, the General Assembly decided to establish a preparatory commission 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 and to prepare for the convening of the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Agreement. Pursuant to General Assembly decision 78/5...