On 21 August 2025, the World Maritime University – Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute (WMU-GOI) in collaboration with the International Coastal and Ocean Organization (ICO) Global Ocean Forum (GOF), hosted a side event during the second session of the BBNJ Agreement Preparatory Commission (PrepCom II), held 18–29 August 2025 at the UN Headquarters in New York (PrepCom II Side Event Schedule here).
WMU-GOI x GOF Side Event
Ratifying and Implementing the BBNJ Agreement: Efforts and Challenges
The event, titled “Ratifying and Implementing the BBNJ Agreement: Efforts and Challenges”, brought together leaders and experts from Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and other developing countries to discuss national and regional efforts, challenges in ratification and implementation, and ongoing capacity development initiatives. The WMU-GOI contribution was organized within the Ireland WMU–GOI BBNJ Clinic Programme, funded through the Government of Ireland International Development Programme.
SPEAKERS
Ambassador Nuala Ní Mhuircheartaigh at BBNJ PrepCom II
Keynote remarks were delivered by Ambassador Nuala Ní Mhuircheartaigh, Deputy Permanent Representative of Ireland to the UN, who stressed the BBNJ Agreement’s importance for ocean protection and its complementarity with other conventions and agreements.
The first panel was moderated by WMU-GOI Director Professor. Ronán Long and Assistant Professor Dr. Ríán Derrig. The panel explored domestic implementation needs under the Agreement and emphasized knowledge-sharing among SIDS, with speakers addressing Pacific regional coordination, national-level implementation, marine genetic resources, and environmental impact assessments.
Professor Ronán Long at BBNJ PrepCom II
Dr. Ríán Derrig at BBNJ PrepCom II
Panelists included Mr. Peni Suveinakama (Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner), Ms. Angélique Pouponneau (Alliance of Small Island States), Ms. Juliette Babb-Riley (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Barbados) and Dr. Kahlil Hassanali (Institute of Marine Affairs, Trinidad and Tobago).
Mr. Peni Suveinakama at BBNJ PrepCom II
Ms. Angélique Pouponneau at BBNJ PrepCom II
Ms. Juliette Babb-Riley at BBNJ PrepCom II
Dr. Kahlil Hassanali at BBNJ PrepCom II
The second panel, moderated by Dr. Miriam Balgos (GOF) addressed collaboration, advocacy, and capacity development to support ratification. Contributors included Mr. Marcelo Olivares (Universidad Católica del Norte, Chile) on Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ) assessments, Ms. Kristina Thygesen (GRID-Arendal) on cross-sectoral governance platforms, Dr. Mariamalia Rodríguez Chaves (Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense) on stakeholder participation in Latin America, and Dr. Paul de Bruyn (Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) / Indian Ocean Tuna Commission, Seychelles) on financial support and global initiatives by FAO, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with Global Environment Facility (GEF) funding.
Mr. Marcelo Olivares at PrepCom II
Dr. Mariamalia Rodríguez Chaves at PrepCom II
Ms. Kristina Thygesen at PrepCom II
Dr. Paul de Bruyn at PrepCom II
Closing remarks from Ms. Susan Gardner (UNEP) emphasized the need for cross-sectoral and intergenerational collaboration to ensure inclusive participation, especially from SIDS and developing countries and to address the legal, institutional, and technical foundations necessary for effective implementation of the BBNJ Agreement.
Ms. Susan Gardner at PrepCom II
ACCESS THE post event material below
Post event material to the BBNJ Prepcom II
About BBNJ PrepCom II
The second PrepCom session marks a key milestone in operationalizing the BBNJ Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, addressing the legal, institutional, and technical foundations for implementation with inclusive participation from developing countries and SIDS.
For more information, please feel free to write to us at goievents@wmu.se to connect with the delegation onsite.
ABOUT THE wmu-sasakawa global ocean institute
The World Maritime University (WMU)-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute (GOI) is an independent focal point for the ocean science-policy-law-industry-society interface where policymakers, the scientific community, regulators, industry actors, academics, and representatives of civil society meet to discuss how best to manage and use ocean spaces and their resources in accordance with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Institute was inaugurated in May 2018 and made possible through generous support from The Nippon Foundation of Japan, the Governments of Sweden, Canada, and Germany, as well as the City of Malmö.
About the BBNJ Clinic Programme
The Ireland and WMU-GOI BBNJ Clinic is dedicated to supporting Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and coastal Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in their efforts to ratify and implement the BBNJ Agreement. Effective and prompt implementation of the BBNJ Agreement is crucial for ocean sustainability and conservation and addressing global inequalities in access to ocean resources. SIDS, characterized as ‘large ocean states’ due to their geographical features and interconnection with and knowledge of ocean ecosystems, as well as coastal LDCs, are among the most significant beneficiaries of the Agreement and among the most important actors in contemporary ocean affairs. However, these States can face capacity and resource challenges in implementing the BBNJ Agreement. The Programme aims to fulfill both practical capacity development and hands-on educational mandates. WMU-GOI researchers and external experts, including the lead negotiators of the BBNJ intergovernmental conference, will lead the consultation process facilitated by the Clinic, and facilitate ratification and implementation procedures undertaken by legal advisors, government officials, and relevant stakeholders from SIDS and coastal LDCs.