For Caribbean countries, such as Trinidad and Tobago, which heavily rely on healthy marine ecosystems for food security, climate resilience, and economic development, the BBNJ Agreement presents an opportunity to influence global marine governance and secure the sustainable use of ocean resources.
On July 17 we’ll be hosting a workshop and screening of the film OCEAN with David Attenborough to explore what the historic High Seas Treaty means for ocean health, equity, and opportunity in the Caribbean. It’s a chance to connect with ocean advocates, policymakers, and champions of the High Seas.
Date: Thursday, July 17, 2025
Time: 10:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Venue: Radisson Hotel, Port of Spain
Interested in attending? Please email info@highseasalliance.org to request an invitation.
This screening is made possible with support of the Minderoo Foundation, and co-organized with our partner Institute of Marine Affairs.
OCEAN with David Attenborough is a Silverback Films and Open Planet Studios co-production, in association with All3Media International, National Geographic, and Minderoo Pictures.
Event Program and Speakers:
Morning Program (10:30 AM – 12:00 PM)
Opening Segment
Moderator: Ryan Bachoo, Climate Journalist and Author
● Rebecca Hubbard, Director High Seas Alliance
● Leneka Scott, Caribbean Regional Coordinator High Seas Alliance
● Dr. Ava Maxam, Director, Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA)
● Melanie Andrews-Bacchus, Senior Technical Officer, Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI)
● Hon. Kennedy Swaratsingh, Minister of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development ● Senator Ravi Ratiram, Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries
● Dr. Diva Joan Amon, Marine Biologist/ Regional BBNJ Expert (Trinidad)
Technical Panel: Legal and Institutional Pathways to Ratification
Theme: Critical Considerations for Trinidad and Tobago and BBNJ Agreement
Panelists:
● Kishan Kumarsingh, Head, Multilateral Environmental Agreements Unit
● Professor Judith Gobin, Marine Biologist, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine
● Professor David Berry, Professor of International Law, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill
● Kahlil Hassanali, Senior Research Officer, Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) (video presentation)
Youth Ambassador closing remarks
● Arianna Beeray, High Seas Youth Ambassador
Break (12:00 PM – 12:30 PM)
Film Screening (12:30 PM – 1:30 PM)
“OCEAN” with David Attenborough