Reaching 100 ratifications represents a significant demonstration of international commitment to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
“One hundred ratifications is an important achievement for the ocean and for multilateral cooperation. The priority now is to ensure that the ambition demonstrated through ratification translates into effective, fair and science-based implementation. The first Conference of the Parties will have a critical responsibility to establish institutions and processes capable of delivering meaningful conservation outcomes from the outset, and IUCN stands ready to support the ongoing process,” said Dr. Grethel Aguilar, Director General, IUCN.
The milestone comes as Parties prepare for the first Conference of the Parties to the BBNJ Agreement, where Parties must reach consensus on key matters for the operationalization of the Agreement, including through decisions on the Scientific and Technical Body, the Clearing-House Mechanism, financial arrangements, rules of procedure and other institutional mechanisms required under the Agreement.
IUCN considers several priorities particularly important for this next phase.
(i) Implementation must be grounded in the best available science and knowledge and supported by institutions capable of translating evidence into timely decisions. Notably, the Scientific and Technical Body will have an important role and must be capacitated to deliver on its mandate.
(ii) Implementation must also be equitable. Developing countries, including Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries, and countries with special circumstances, require sustained access to finance, scientific cooperation, capacity-building and marine technology to participate fully in the Agreement and exercise the rights and responsibilities it establishes.
(iii) The Clearing-House Mechanism should be operationalized urgently with accessibility and practical country needs at their core.
(iv) The Agreement also provides a major opportunity to strengthen cooperation across the existing ocean governance architecture, and raise ambition for conservation and nature across the spectrum of ocean governance. Effective implementation will require coordination with relevant global, regional, subregional and sectoral bodies, while respecting their respective mandates and ensuring that measures adopted under the BBNJ Agreement contribute coherently to the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean. The growing number of Parties must materialize in global efforts and renewed determination to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. IUCN has supported the development of the BBNJ Agreement over more than two decades, providing independent scientific, technical and legal advice throughout the negotiations and subsequent preparatory process.
IUCN also hosts the Secretariat of the BBNJ High Ambition Coalition and works with governments and partners across regions to support ratification, implementation readiness, scientific capacity and effective ocean governance.
“The breadth of participation now taking shape matters. Effective protection of biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction ultimately depends on broad participation, strong national implementation and cooperation across regions and institutions. The next phase must ensure that all countries have the capacity to shape and implement this new system of ocean governance,” said IUCN’s Global Ocean Policy Director, Minna Epps.
As the international community moves towards COP1, the focus must now be on building an operational system that is scientifically robust, adequately financed, transparent and equitable, and able to deliver measurable benefits for marine biodiversity and for the people and economies that depend upon a healthy ocean.
