Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ)

The Issue: For the 61% of the ocean that lies in areas beyond national jurisdiction, a new international agreement for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, the BBNJ Agreement, has now been adopted at the UN. Science, technology and innovation crosscut this new agreement and will play an integral role during implementation, including for area-based management tools, environmental impact assessments, capacity building and technology transfer, and the sharing benefits from marine genetic resources. As such, connecting deep ocean science and knowledge with decision-makers remains paramount as the agreement moves towards ratification and entry into force.

The Working Group: The BBNJ working group, which currently has 151 members, aims to connect scientific information and knowledge with decision-makers and policy processes related to the BBNJ Agreement.

  • Synthesise scientific knowledge relating to the conservation and sustainable use of BBNJ and identify key issues for the development of the BBNJ instrument;
  • Publish open-access academic papers, policy briefs, and educational materials on key issues for BBNJ and provide input to the BBNJ negotiation process through submissions, side-events, workshops and engagement;
  • Provide a focal point for deep-sea scientific expertise and network engagement on BBNJ relevant issues and a platform for collaboration between scientists and other stakeholders.
  • “The Ocean Decade and the BBNJ Agreement: Synergies and opportunities”: The BBNJ working group co-hosted an on-site event at the Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona, alongside the IUCN, Nippon Foundation-University of Edinburgh Ocean Voices Programme, IDDRI, and the High Seas Alliance.

 

  • Working group Co-Leads Christine Gaebel and Paul Snelgrove were invited panellists at the International Symposium on Science-Policy Interfaces hosted by IOC UNESCO and the UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS) in Paris, France.  Summary of discussions can be found here.

  • Working group Co-Leads Christine Gaebel and Harriet Harden Davies were invited panellists at the High Seas Treaty Symposium in Edinburgh, UK. Christine joined the panel on ‘BBNJ and the best-available science’, and Harriet joined the panel on ‘Capacity building and transfer of marine technology’.
  • Working group Co-Lead Christine Gaebel was an invited keynote speaker at the International Symposium on Deep-Sea Corals, where she spoke about deep-ocean science and knowledge in implementing the BBNJ Agreement and the role of the Scientific and Technical Body. At the symposium, the BBNJ working group also hosted a workshop, which brought together deep-ocean scientists to explore opportunities and challenges for deep-ocean science under the BBNJ agreement.
  • High Seas Treaty Dialogue ( 20-21 January 2020, Nobel Institute, Oslo, Norway): High Seas Treaty Dialogue on Marine Genetic Resources and Benefit Sharing.  Harriet Harden-Davies was invited to discuss one of the most challenging issues to date in the BBNJ negotiations.
  • Towards a package: marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction (22-23 January 2020, Royal Society of Edinburgh, UK): DOSI co-sponsored (along with University of Aberdeen and the Atlas Project) a gathering of more than 50 participants to discuss the development of BBNJ. The participants included policymakers, diplomats, civil society and academic experts from legal, scientific and other backgrounds.  With the fourth (and possibly final) round of negotiations fast approaching, this workshop provided a valuable opportunity to exchange views and identify areas where further discussions are needed.  Harriet Harden-Davies was an invited speaker for the session on Access and Benefit-Sharing.  In addition to the workshop, a public event and reception was held at the Royal Society of Edinburgh on the evening of 22 January. Harriet Harden-Davies delivered the opening address.
  • BBNJ Working Group Workshop, University of Southampton, UK (April 2018): Science diplomacy for stewardship advancing science-based policy for biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction through the Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI). Link to Report.
  • Paul Snelgrove attended BBNJ ICG and presented on behalf of DOSI BBNJ working group during a side-event with the IOC, Belgium and Nauru entitled The potential interlinkages between the UN Ocean Science Decade and scientific aspects in the context of BBNJ in April 2018.
  • DOSI Commentary on the revised draft text of an agreement under UNCLOS on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (20 February 2020)
  • Collaborate with us to advance deep-sea climate science. Engage in meetings, contribute to policy briefs and publications, and participate in international events.

    WG members are encouraged to actively engage with WG communications and meetings, as these are where further information will be provided on workshops, outputs such as policy briefs and publications, as well as event attendance. Please note: DOSI Ambassadors who are involved key meetings are selected according to our DOSI internal policy and at the discretion of the WG leads. 

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Working Group Leads
Christine Gaebel

University of Edinburgh, UK

Harriet Harden-Davies

University of Edinburgh, UK

Paul Snelgrove

Memorial University, Canada

Harvard, USA

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