Resources

Deep Dives BBNJ COP1

Welcome to our BBNJ COP 1 resource hub. Ahead of the first Conference of the Parties to the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, we are publishing concise policy briefs to help navigate key negotiation topics on the institutional set up of the BBNJ Agreement or High Seas Treaty.

Our initial brief is available below, with additional policy briefs to be released as the conference approaches. Please check back regularly for updated analyses and insights.

To explore our past PrepCom briefings, visit our past PrepCom briefings page.

The Financial Mechanism: What ambition looks like at BBNJ CoP1 and beyond. Available here.

The BBNJ Agreement and the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals

The 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) will take place from 23 to 29 March 2026 in Campo Grande, Brazil. Find our Deep Dive for this year’s meeting here.

New Report: High Seas High Stakes – a Cost Benefit Analysis of the BBNJ Agreement in the Caribbean

This new report examines the economic, legal, and institutional implications of ratifying the High Seas Treaty for three Caribbean countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago. Through a detailed cost-benefit analysis and stakeholder interviews, the report finds that all three states would experience positive long-term gains from ratification, from increased access to marine genetic resources and scientific capacity to stronger environmental protection and regional cooperation.

Continue reading New Report: High Seas High Stakes – a Cost Benefit Analysis of the BBNJ Agreement in the Caribbean

Legal Implications of the Impending Entry into Force of the BBNJ Agreement

A briefing note on the Legal Implications of the Impending Entry into Force of the BBNJ Agreement is available here.

Deep Dive: Universal Ratification

Read our Deep Dive on Universal Ratification to learn why it is important that as many countries ratify the High Seas Treaty. Available here.

Proceedings of the Lord Howe Rise and South Tasman Sea Research Symposium

In May 2025, nearly 70 leaders, scientists, policymakers and advocates gathered in Sydney for the first symposium dedicated to the South Tasman Sea and Lord Howe Rise: a volcanic “lost world” of towering seamounts, rich biodiversity, and deep cultural connections.

Continue reading Proceedings of the Lord Howe Rise and South Tasman Sea Research Symposium

Designing an Effective BBNJ Clearing-House Mechanism: Insights and Guidance Drawn from Comparable Tools

New Report by NRDC, OceanCare and HSA for PrepCom: Designing an Effective BBNJ Clearing-House Mechanism: Insights and Guidance Drawn from Comparable Tools. Available here.

PrepCom Deep Dives

New PrepCom 3 Deep Dives

The following policy briefs provide the latest up-to-date insights into key issues under consideration at the third BBNJ Preparatory Commission. Additional briefings will be shared in the coming weeks.

PrepCom 3 briefing on the Clearing-House Mechanism.
- Available in English, Spanish and French.
PrepCom 3 briefing on the Financial Mechanism.
- Available in English, French and Spanish.
BBNJ Financial Mechanism: What Ambition Looks like at PrepCom 3 and Beyond.
PrepCom 3 briefing on Observer Participation.
- Available in English, French and Spanish.
PrepCom 3 briefing on the Scientific and Technical Body.
- Available in English, French and Spanish.

Past PrepCom Deep Dives

The following policy briefs were made for the first and second BBNJ PrepCom, and may be out of date:

PrepCom Overview | Available also in French and Portuguese
Access and Benefit-Sharing Committee | Available in Spanish, French and Portuguese
Operationalizing the Clearing-House Mechanism | Available also in Spanish, French and Portuguese
Operationalizing the Clearing-House Mechanism: Supplementary update for PrepCom 2 | Available also in Spanish.
Capacity Building and Transfer of Marine Technology Committee | Available also in Spanish, French and Portuguese
Scientific and Technical Body | Available also in Spanish, French and Portuguese
Operationalizing the Scientific and Technical Body: Supplementary update for PrepCom 2
Implementation and Compliance Committee | Available also in French and Portuguese
Finance | Available also in Spanish, French and Portuguese
Observer Participation | Available also in Spanish.
Cooperation and Consultation: Operationalizing the BBNJ Agreement

High Seas Youth Advocacy Toolkit

The High Seas Youth Advocacy Toolkit is your guide to protecting the ocean and advocating for the High Seas. Created for youth leaders and ocean advocates, this resource breaks down the High Seas Treaty, offers tools to spread its message, and empowers you to join the #RaceForRatification—ensuring this historic agreement becomes a reality.

Continue reading High Seas Youth Advocacy Toolkit

CBD CoP16 Briefing and Position Paper

Synergies between the Convention on Biological Diversity and the High Seas Treaty

Find out more about the synergies between the CBD, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF), and the High Seas Treaty. Read our briefing and position paper on the importance of seamless coordination and complementarity between the two agreements to accelerate the effective protection of the global ocean’s biodiversity.

Continue reading CBD CoP16 Briefing and Position Paper