Ratified! Now What? Workshop
Preparing the Caribbean and Latin America for BBNJ Entry Into Force
On January 17, 2026, the Agreement under UNCLOS on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) will formally enter into force, transforming the governance of nearly half the planet’s surface. Once operational, the Agreement will impose legally binding obligations, structured reporting requirements, new scientific responsibilities, and new institutional arrangements.
Countries in the Caribbean and Latin American operate within diverse institutional arrangements, face unique capacity constraints, and typically possess different legal and administrative traditions that shape how they interpret and implement international obligations. They also share environmental priorities such as fisheries sustainability, marine biodiversity protection, climate resilience, and the need for stronger ocean governance frameworks grounded in equity and scientific cooperation.
The Caribbean and Latin America also play a critical role in global ocean governance, and both regions have shown exceptional leadership in advancing the BBNJ Agreement. A significant number of countries from each region have already ratified the Treaty, contributing directly to the rapid achievement of the entry into force threshold. This early political commitment means that many Caribbean and Latin American countries will become bound by the Agreement’s requirements the moment it enters into force on January 17, 2026. As a result, governments urgently need clear, practical guidance on how to transition from political commitment to operational implementation.
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