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Background

In 1982, the  (UNCLOS) – known as the “Constitution of the Ocean” – was adopted to bring a new regime of law and order in the world’s oceans. To ensure the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) was adopted on 19 June 2023.

The BBNJ Agreement is open for signature by all States and regional economic integration organisations from 20 September 2023 to 20 September 2025, and will enter into force 120 days after the sixtieth instrument of ratification, approval, acceptance or accession.

BBNJ Expert Advisory Group

The Centre is leading research focused on legal and governance elements to support the establishment of the BBNJ. This includes serving as the Secretariat to the BBNJ Expert Advisory Group. The Advisory Group was convened to provide independent expert analysis and thought leadership on the design and implementation of Article 52 of the BBNJ Agreement. This work is supported by the financial contributions from Bloomberg Philanthropies.

The Group brings together global experts with diverse geographical and gender perspectives and specialised knowledge in international finance, ocean governance, and environmental law.

The Advisory Group's work aims to:

  • Support the effective operationalisation of the BBNJ Agreement's financial mechanism by developing timely outputs designed to inform deliberations of Parties and the work of the Preparatory Commission Co-chairs. 
  • Contribute diverse perspectives to advance discussions and offer expert insights.

Nothing, the outputs of the advisory group represent independent inputs and do not necessarily represent the thinking of any government, regional body, or international organisation.


Co-Chairs

Headshot of Torsten Thiele

Torsten Thiele

Founder of Global Ocean Trust

Angelique Pouponneau

Angelique Pouponneau

Trustee of the WIOMSA Trust Fund; Advisory Board Member of UN Ocean Decade; PhD Candidate of University of Malta; Accredited Civil and Commercial Mediator of ADR Group

Experts

Julio Cordano

Julio Cordano

Ambassador, Director of Environment, Climate Change and Oceans, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile

Milagros De Camps

Milagros De Camps

Vice Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Dominican Republic

Tamara Greenstone-Alefaio

Tamara Greenstone Alefaio

Former Deputy Director Conservation & Climate Change Program, Micronesia Conservation Trust

H.E. Mr Aliioaiga Feturi Elisaia

H.E. Mr Aliioaiga Feturi Elisaia

High Commissioner to the Republic of Fiji, Government of Samoa

Headshot - Frannie Leautier.

Frannie Leautier

Partner and CEO, SouthBridge Investment

Headshot - Dorothee Herr

Dorothee Herr

Advisor, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

Headshot - Michai Robertson

Michai Robertson

Research Fellow, Overseas Development Institute (ODI)

Headshot - Karla Martinez

Karla Martinez

Sustainable Blue Economy Finance Initiative Consultant, United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative

Peni Suveinakama

Peni Suveinakama

Manager and Ocean Analyst , Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC)

Headshot - Jessica Smith

Jessica Smith

Nature Lead, United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative

Headshot - Melissa Walsh

Melissa Walsh

Director, Blue Finance & Scaling, Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance

Joe Thwaite

Joe Thwaites

Senior Advocate, International Climate Finance, Natural Resources Defense Council

Headshot - Martin Koehring

Martin Koehring

Ocean and Finance Specialist, United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative

Headshot - Vositha Wijenayake

Vositha Wijenayake

Executive Director, SLYCAN Trust Global


BBNJ Agreement: Progress Towards Implementation as 21 Nations Ratify

As South Korea becomes the 21st nation to ratify, we examine the current status and potential of the BBNJ treaty, and the necessary steps to bring it into force in 2025.