The Agreement relating to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and concerning the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (the “BBNJ Agreement”) was adopted on 19 June 2023 by the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction convened under the auspices of the United Nations, and entered into force on 17 January 2026. It is the third implementing agreement of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea .
Andy Schmid, photo contest organized by the UN for World Oceans Day 2023 / Andy Schmid
The BBNJ Agreement aims to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, both in the immediate and long term, through the effective implementation of the relevant provisions of the Convention and the strengthening of international cooperation and coordination. It addresses four main issues:
- Marine genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits;
- Measures such as area-based management tools, including marine protected areas;
- Environmental impact assessments;
- Capacity building and marine technology transfer.
The Agreement also addresses a number of cross-cutting issues, establishes a financing mechanism, and sets up an institutional framework, including a Conference of the Parties, several subsidiary bodies, a Exchange Centre, and a Secretariat.
The Agreement was open for signature by all States and regional economic integration organizations from 20 September 2023 to 20 September 2025 and entered into force on 17 January 2026 (Depositary Notification CN447.2025.TREATIES-XXI.10 ). From 21 September 2025, any State or regional economic integration organization that had not signed the Agreement by the closing date of the signature period may accede to it.
source : Nations Unis
