Exploring potential interlinkages between the BBNJ Agreement and Biodiversity, Chemicals and Waste Related MEAs

Title: Understanding the BBNJ Agreement and its Interface with Related MEAs

Date: 19 March 2025 Time: 15:00 – 16:30 (EAT, UTC+3)

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Objectives 

• To outline the objectives, functions and regulatory gaps addressed by the BBNJ
• To explain the key provisions of the BBNJ Agreement and how these affect regulatory frameworks of various sectors
• To discuss the processes of entry into force, ratification, and related processes for the implementation of the BBNJ Agreement.
• To highlight obligations and expectations of parties to the BBNJ Agreement.

Outcomes

• Enhanced understanding of the BBNJ Agreement and its interface with related MEAs.
• Identified opportunities for parties to improve their legal frameworks through ratification and implementation of BBNJ and related MEAs.
• Improve understanding of parties’ obligations and how these relate to those under various MEAs. 4. Identify areas of cooperation and technical support that UNEP Ecosystems and Law Divisions in collaborating with UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEPWCMC)

Target Audience

Montevideo Programme V National Focal Points; MEAs Focal Points; UNEP Regional and Sub-Regional Offices; RSCAPs.

For Enquiries: Gracian Banda, Head, Montevideo Coordination and Delivery Unit, Law Division

                       Sinikinesh Jimma, Head, Marine and Freshwater Branch, Ecosystems Division

The adoption, on 19 June 2023, of 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) marks a historic step towards global ocean and environmental governance. In accordance with Article 68(1), the Agreement shall enter into force 120 days after the date of deposit of the sixtieth instrument of ratification, approval, acceptance or accession. As of January 2025, there are 15 parties to the Agreement. 

Once the BBNJ Agreement enters into force, successful implementation will rely on the establishment of cooperative and synergistic relationships with other relevant legal instruments and frameworks and relevant global, regional, subregional and sectoral bodies while respecting their respective mandates as outlined in its Articles 2, 5, 8 and 47 of the BBNJ Agreement. In particular, Article 5 states that the Agreement “shall be interpreted and applied in a manner that does not undermine relevant international frameworks and bodies and that promotes coherence and coordination, with a view to promoting coherence among efforts towards the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction'. This includes the thematic and substantive work undertaken by biodiversity, chemicals and waste related Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) and Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans (RSCAPs), which is of direct relevance to BBNJ Measures. 

The UNEP Ecosystems and Law Divisions are collaborating with the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) on a horizon scan of interlinkages between the BBNJ Agreement and biodiversity, chemicals, and waste-related MEAs. This is inorder to assist in identifying areas where Parties to the BBNJ Agreement may seek coherence and enhanced coordination with relevant MEAs upon its entry into force for a collaborative approach,  

In cooperation with the UN Office of Legal Affairs, and the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS), UNEP has developed a self-paced introductory course to the BBNJ Agreement hosted on InforMEA. The workshops are a follow-up to the Second Global training organized by UNEP for National Focal Points of the Fifth Montevideo Environmental Law Programme, held in Nairobi, June 2024 in partnership with the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS) and the Treaty Section of the Office of Legal Affairs.

This is a Provisonal Agenda 

Webinar I

15:00 – 15:10: Welcome and Objectives of the Workshop by Stadler Trengove, Principal Legal Advisor and Chief, Environmental Rule of Law Branch, UNEP Law Division 

15:10 – 15:20: The synergy and overlay of the BBNJ Agreement with other biodiversity-related MEAs by Chris Mc’ Owen, Lead Marine Scientist, UNEP-WCMC 

15:20 – 15:30: UNEP’s Offer of Support for BBNJ Ratification & Early Action by Sinikinesh Jimma, Head, Marine and Freshwater Branch, UNEP Ecosystems Division 

15:30 – 16:20: Panel discussion on Opportunities for collaboration and shared objectives among MEAs Perspectives from MEAs & RSCAPs: • CBD (Joe Appiott), • CMS (Melanie Virtue), • CITES (Stavros Antoniadis), • Regional Seas Programme (Monika Thiele) and • BRS (Juliette Koehler) 

Moderated by Tita Korvenoja, Chief, Environmental Conventions and Policy Branch, UNEP Law Division 

16:20 – 16:30: Reflections: 

• Coordinating technical assistance for BBNJ implementation.
• UNEP’s support mechanisms, including Montevideo Programme technical legal assistance.
• Feedback and input on the draft report and outline developed by UNEP and WCMC 

Led by Gracian Banda, Senior Legal Officer, Head, Montevideo Coordination and Delivery Unit, UNEP Law Division

Webinar II

15:00 – 15:10: Welcome and Objectives of the Workshop by Stadler Trengove, Principal Legal Advisor and Chief, Environmental Rule of Law Branch, UNEP Law Division 

15:10 – 15:30: Objectives, functions and overview of the BBNJ Agreement by Charlotte Salpin, Senior Legal Officer, DOALOS.

15:30 – 15:50: Signature, ratification, and accession to treaties, including the BBNJ Agreements by David Nanopoulos, Chief of the Treaty Section, UN Office of Legal Affairs (TBC)

15:50 – 16:20: Panel discussion: Perspectives from a Member State (MVP5 National Focal Point), intergovernmental voice (RFMO/RSCAP etc), scientist, private sector, • Member State (MVP5 National Focal Point): TBC • Intergovernmental voice (RFMO/RSCAP etc): TBC • Scientist: TBC • Private sector: TBC

Moderated by Gracian Banda, Senior Legal Officer, Head, Montevideo Coordination and Delivery Unit, UNEP Law Division

16:20 – 16:30: Reflections: 

• Coordinating technical assistance for BBNJ implementation.
• UNEP’s support mechanisms, including Montevideo Programme technical legal assistance.

Led by Gracian Banda, Senior Legal Officer, Head, Montevideo Coordination and Delivery Unit, UNEP Law Division