A blog by Rizza Sacra-Dejucos, HSA Asia Regional Coordinator
As the Race for Ratification of the BBNJ Treaty is nearing towards the 3rd UN Ocean Conference, a parallel road is being paved to prepare for the set-up of the institutions and processes that will shape how the Treaty works in practice and its implementation. This track is ideally where the governments will lead the way to carve a new path to turn ambitions into actions to protect two-thirds of the ocean.
It started last year in April 2024 when the United Nations General Assembly passed the resolution to establish the BBNJ Preparatory Commission (PrepCom). It is tasked to make necessary preparations for the entry into force of the BBNJ Treaty including the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties. So far, 112 countries have signed the Treaty and 21 have ratified.
In the first organisational meeting of the PrepCom in June 2024, governments agreed to hold three meetings from 2025 to 2026, to discuss and decide on issues critical pertaining to the set-up of the Treaty. This includes three clusters of issues including governance, wherein the rules, functions, and modalities of the institutions that will be established under the Treaty will be agreed on. These institutions are essential for an effective implementation of the Treaty. The PrepCom also includes the Clearing-House Mechanism, which is an integral part to ensure the transparency, inclusivity, and compliance to the Treaty. And lastly, the discussion on finance. We all know that finance mechanisms will highly contribute to how fast or slow things will move.
Almost two months ago, the PrepCom agenda was at the core of discussion among leaders and members of the governments, research community, civil society, and industry, who gathered for a two-day exchange of insights and learnings at the BBNJ Symposium 2025. The immense wealth of knowledge shared has certainly created a clearer path towards a better understanding of the BBNJ Treaty from different perspectives — academics, legal and policy experts, scientists, policy-makers, and also from the point of view of existing relevant instruments, frameworks, and bodies. The term future-proofing was mentioned several times with reference to ensuring that the Treaty will remain relevant in the years to come in addressing issues on marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
Taking a step back to reflect on the conversations two months ago, the more important question now is what do we do with this knowledge and how do we act on it? The PrepCom meetings have the opportunity to make good use of this information and expertise to start making changes in the water. After all, the BBNJ Treaty will only be as effective as the institutions that will be built upon it. And in building this foundation, a lot is riding on how the governments will deliver in the PrepCom.
I would like to end this musing with a story from the BBNJ Symposium. It was a brief exchange with the cab driver during my ride to the airport.
The two-day event was nothing short of enthusiasm and passion shared with people in the BBNJ space. But it could be exhausting and overwhelming, too. I was reluctant for a small talk, but the driver, an old intelligent man, engaged in a polite conversation and asked me “Are you here for business?” I said sort of, I attended a conference. He asked me again what I do. I told him that I work for a non-government organization with a mission to protect the ocean. He pointed on his right as we were driving along the Beach Road in Singapore. And I told him no, it’s the ocean that’s quite far from here. It’s called the High Seas. I attempted to explain about this new ambitious international agreement that would allow the governments to work together to protect and conserve at least 70% of the ocean. There was silence, and after a moment, he said, “Ah, the international area [waters]. Can governments do that?”
I said yes, in a whisper, like a wishful thinking — praying and hoping.
Two things from this conversation.
First, I was worried that I would not get the message across. BBNJ is a very technical conversation. But the man was listening. And I thought, perhaps, if we are more ready to sit down and listen, we will have a better understanding and find common resolutions to advance positions that would positively benefit the ocean and all humanity. The Co-Chairs, during the fireside chat session at the symposium, could not have emphasized more the importance of talking to one another.
Second, these are challenging times where multilateralism is faced with political chaos in almost all corners of the world. But the BBNJ Treaty, when we get the first 60 ratifications this June, is a beacon of hope, a proof that global cooperation is still very much alive. And it starts with the PrepCom meetings this month, which are more than just stepping stones to prepare for the set-up of BBNJ. They are building blocks that will make or break the ambitions of nations who agreed, in March 2023, to protect half of the planet.
In anticipation of the enormous task and negotiation in the next PrepCom meetings, I would like to borrow the words from Ambassador Rena Lee during the Asia Roundtable Dialogue at the margins of the BBNJ Symposium: “We don’t have to be perfect, we just have to keep going.”
Follow PrepCom 1 developments via our Treaty Tracker.