The Preparatory Commission for the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) will convene to support preparations for the entry into force of the BBNJ Agreement and the organization of the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Agreement.

On 24 April 2024, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted resolution 78/272, which established the Preparatory Commission. The UNGA also decided that the Commission would hold a three-day organizational meeting in the first half of 2024 to discuss organizational matters, including the election of the Co-Chairs and a Bureau, the dates of the meetings of the Commission, and the programme of work of the Commission.

As an agreement under UNCLOS, the BBNJ Agreement has the overall objective of conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) for the present and in the long term. The BBNJ Agreement specifically addresses: marine genetic resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits; measures such as area-based management tools, including marine protected areas (MPAs); environmental impact assessments (EIAs); and capacity building and the transfer of marine technology. In addition, the Agreement establishes a funding mechanism and sets up institutional arrangements.

The BBNJ Agreement is open for signature by all Member States and regional economic integration organizations from 20 September 2023 to 20 September 2025, and will enter into force 120 days after the date of deposit of the 60th instrument of ratification, approval, acceptance, or accession. As of 5 June 2024, the BBNJ Agreement has 90 signatories and seven parties (Palau, Chile, Belize, Seychelles, Monaco, Mauritius, and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)).

The Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) coverage of the meeting will be here.

To receive SDG event notices, news, and analysis in your inbox, subscribe.

To share information about your organization’s activities related to this event, subscribe to our peer-to-peer BIODIVERSITY, CLIMATE, OCEAN, and SDG lists.

dates: 24-26 June 2024
location: New York City, US
www: https://www.un.org/depts/los/bbnj.htm