A blog by Tekau Frere, High Seas Alliance MPA Coordinator
The IUCN World Conservation Congress marked another milestone in a remarkable year for the ocean. From the opening ceremony onward, BBNJ was everywhere. President Whipps of Palau, representing the first country to ratify the Agreement, and HRH Princess Lalla Hasnaa of Morocco, whose country brought us to the critical 60th ratification milestone, set the tone. With Her Deepness Dr. Sylvia Earle adding her wisdom, it became clear: this Congress was charting the course for what must come next.
Tekau Frere, HSA MPA Coordinator“United We Thrive” echoed the opening ceremony. How fitting. There is certainly no shortage of willing hands to make BBNJ a success: Governments, NGOs, Researchers, and philanthropies are all stepping in. But good intentions alone aren’t enough. Without coordination, we risk duplication and competing efforts that waste resources and undermine the very promise of unity the BBNJ Agreement offers. The conversations in Abu Dhabi focused on working as one crew, not a flotilla of separate vessels heading in different directions. This coordination challenge is fundamental to whether BBNJ succeeds or fails to deliver real protection.
This message underpinned the Ocean and Climate Platform side event where we took stock of progress since commitments made at UNOC3. The discussions charted pathways to turn those pledges into tangible results while already looking toward the post-2030 world. It reminded us that BBNJ implementation exists within broader ocean commitments, including 30 x 30; alignment across these efforts will secure our impact.
The High Ambition Coalition for BBNJ meeting, chaired by President Whipps and attended by leaders including Planet Champion Ralph Regenvanu of Vanuatu and UNSG Special Envoy Peter Thomson, tackled precisely this challenge. In Abu Dhabi, the HAC also received the World Future Policy Vision Award 2025 on behalf of the Treaty, a recognition of the BBNJ cooperative and coordinating promise.
Looking at implementation
Across side events, deep-dive session, and a high-level panel, our High Seas Alliance community was everywhere.
IUCN showcased their plans with the European Union’ Global Ocean Programme and Germany’s support for establishing High Seas MPAs. Two side events addressed important questions on High Seas MPA design, including the role of significant areas for sharks, marine mammals, seabirds, and turtles. Questions of monitoring and enforcement also resonated through the Pavillions’ speakers.
The Marine Conservation Institute explored how the Blue Park Standard could support effective High Seas MPAs. Pew and AIDA made a compelling case for protecting the Thermal Dome.
Two regional conversations focused on broadening participation in BBNJ’s implementation. In an event organized by IFAW, our HSA Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) coordinator Nabegh Ghazal demonstrated the many benefits of acceding to BBNJ, while IUCN’s Eastern and Southern Africa office built bridges between the treaty’s global framework and Africa’s conservation aspirations. These conversations matter because BBNJ’s success will depend on truly global participation in effective implementation.
Out of these rich discussions, what moved me most was Kristina Gjerde launching the Ocean Stewardship Award. With support from Synchronicity Earth, this award will empower early-career changemakers committed to safeguarding the High Heas and deep seas. These are the types of initiatives that build the community of ocean stewards our world needs. Thank you Kristina!
I was also very moved by our members’ successful motions campaigns! They contributed to advancing several important motions, including transitioning away from bottom trawling on seamounts [1], protecting mesopelagic zones [2], and addressing the conservation of the scalloped hammerhead shark [3]. And MCI and HSA SC member Lance Morgan’s birthday celebration did not harm in lifting up the mood!
Above all, this congress gave me a breath of hope: the reclassification of the green turtle from endangered species offered a fragile proof that when we put our collective will together, we can reverse the tragedies our species has created in our global commons.
While challenges remain, our canoe is nearly ready. There’s still space for more crew, and we still need provisions to gather for our journey. Soon, we’ll be navigating together as if our ocean depends on it—because it truly does.
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[1] Motion 32: sponsored by the Marine Conservation Institute in Environmental Defense Fund, and Ocean Conservancy
[2] Motion 035: led by Deep Sea Conservation Coalition, sponsored by WWF Australia, and co-sponsored by Marine Conservation Institute, Blue Marine Foundation, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, Environment and Conservation Organisations of New Zealand, and Australian Foundation for Wilderness
[3] Motion 118: sponsored by Centro Rescate de Especies Marinas Amenazadas and co-sponsored by SHARKPROJECT Germany e.V. ( Germany ), Sharkproject Austria ( Austria ), Nature Seychelles ( Seychelles ), Asociación Conservacionista Misión Tiburón ( Costa Rica ), Oficina de protección del ambiente de la Municipalidad de Curridabat ( Costa Rica ), Preserve Planet ( Costa Rica ), Conservation Alliance of Kenya ( Kenya ), Wildlife Direct Kenya ( Kenya )