The third and final Preparatory Commission for the BBNJ Agreement (BBNJ PrepCom) is happening at the UN Headquarters in New York City, from 22 March – 02 April 2026.
Read our PrepCom briefings
Four new briefings for PrepCom 3 are available via the link below:
Read the High Seas Alliance position statement on PrepCom
Follow the Treaty Tracker for updates on PrepCom 3
Preparatory Commission: Laying the foundation for a strong High Seas Treaty
The adoption of the High Seas Treaty was a historic moment for global ocean conservation. But signing the Treaty was just the beginning. To ensure its full implementation, countries must now establish the institutions, rules, and processes that will allow it to function effectively. That’s where the Preparatory Commission (PrepCom) comes in.
What is PrepCom?
The BBNJ Preparatory Commission is a body established by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) to lay the groundwork for the Treaty’s entry into force and to prepare for the first Conference of the Parties (COP) for the High Seas Treaty. These meetings are crucial in shaping how the Treaty will operate, ensuring that it delivers on its promise to protect two thirds of our ocean.
The third session of the Preparatory Commission (PrepCom 3) is the next key milestone in this process, as countries continue negotiating the structures and processes needed to bring the Treaty to life.
Why is PrepCom important?
A Treaty is only as strong as the institutions and mechanisms that support it. At PrepCom, countries will develop a set of recommendations on the rules, decision-making bodies, and implementation frameworks that will allow the Treaty to operate effectively. Without strong governance and enforcement systems, the Treaty risks falling short of its ambition to protect marine biodiversity and address the growing threats of the climate and biodiversity crises.
During PrepCom, governments will work on developing recommendations for the key elements that will shape the Treaty’s future, including:
- How the Treaty will be governed: establishing decision-making rules, compliance mechanisms, and financial structures.
- Setting up institutions: defining the roles of bodies like the Scientific and Technical Body, Secretariat, and Clearing House Mechanism.
- Implementation mechanisms: ensuring that key tools like marine protected areas (MPAs), Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), and capacity-building programs are set up to be effective and equitable.
- Funding and support for developing nations: determining how resources will be distributed to ensure all countries can participate fully.
The PrepCom will adopt its recommendations at its final session and forward them to COP for its consideration and adoption. The first COP will take place within one year after the Treaty has entered into force.
For more detailed information on the different key aspects of discussion, read our Deep Dive briefings here.
The road ahead
PrepCom is a critical step in ensuring that the High Seas Treaty moves from talk to action. With climate change and biodiversity loss threatening the ocean’s future, governments must act with urgency to establish a strong Treaty. As PrepCom 3 approaches, the High Seas Alliance will be closely following the negotiations and advocating for ambitious outcomes that ensure the Treaty can effectively protect biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction.