On 19 June 2023, the international community adopted the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement, also known as the High Seas Treaty). The Agreement opened for State signature on 20 September 2023 and will remain open for signature for two years. It will enter into force 120 days after 60 State ratifications. Until then, signatories are obliged to refrain from acts which would defeat the object and purpose of the Agreement.
This series of briefings explains the key provisions of the BBNJ Agreement:
- Part II of the BBNJ Agreement: Marine Genetic Resources including the fair & equitable sharing of benefits
- Part III of the BBNJ Agreement: Area-based management tools
- Part IV of the BBNJ Agreement: Environmental Impact Assessment
- Part V of the BBNJ Agreement: Capacity building and the transfer of marine technologies
- BBNJ and activities within national jurisdiction