The first in our series of briefing notes on the UN's biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement provides a succinct guide to the processes by which a state can express its consent to be bound by, and implement, the Agreement.
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 (the BBNJ Agreement) remains open for signature, by all states and regional economic integration organisations, until 20 September 2025. It seeks to manage the deep-ocean environment, including its ecosystems and resources, in a sustainable way in order to prevent long-term decline and meet the needs of present and future generations.
This briefing explains how a state can express its consent to be bound by the BBNJ Agreement. It provides an accessible, informative breakdown of the processes of signing, becoming a party to, ratifying, accepting or approving, and acceding to the Agreement, and explores measures that states may wish to consider when preparing for the future implementation of the instrument at a national level, such as the enactment of national legislation and the establishment and/or designation of a national focal point.
