On 9 September, the World Maritime University – Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute (WMU-GOI) hosted a Stakeholder Consultative Workshop under the framework of the Ireland - WMU-GOI BBNJ Clinic Programme titled “Supporting Indian ocean and African SIDS and Coastal LDCs' BBNJ Efforts” during the 48th Annual Conference on Oceans Law & Policy (COLP48), held in New Delhi, India.
BBNJ CLINIC CONSULTATIVE WORKSHOP
Supporting Indian Ocean & African SIDS & Coastal LDCs’ BBNJ efforts
Photos from ©GMU
SPEAKERS
Professor Ronàn Long at the BBNJ Side Event at COLP48 - ©GMU
Professor Ronán Long, Director of the WMU-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute, opened the event highlighting that the BBNJ Agreement is nearing 60 ratifications. He emphasized the crucial role of SIDS in this process, and how the BBNJ Clinic can provide valuable support.
Dr. Ríán Derrig, WMU Assistant Professor, followed with an outline of the main aims of the BBNJ Clinic programme, including reviewing the efforts to date, and emphasized that input from SIDS and coastal LDCs, as well as consideration of regional and local needs, are central to facilitating ratification and implementation of the Agreement. He further noted that the Clinic’s success depends on strong partnerships, and that the workshop would be instrumental in developing upcoming training opportunities to advance BBNJ Agreement efforts in the Indian Ocean region.
Mr. Tim Andrew, Dr. Ríán Derrig, Dr. Rizza Joy Dejucos and Dr. Paul Debruyn at the BBNJ Side Event at COLP48 - ©WMU
Dr. Aspasia Pastra at the BBNJ Side Event at COLP48 - ©GMU
A session led by WMU Assistant Professor, Dr. Aspasia Pastra, delved into regional perspectives on advancing BBNJ ratification and implementation. Contributions included presentations from Dr. Paul Debruyn (Indian Ocean Tuna Commission), Dr. Rizza Joy Dejucos (High Seas Alliance) and Mr. Tim Andrew (Nairobi Convention Secretariat. ), who respectively showcased various efforts that are ongoing in the Indian Ocean Region in support of BBNJ Agreement ratification and how challenges may be addressed.
The final session was moderated by WMU alumnus, Dr. Kahlil Hassanali (Institute of Marine Affairs, Trinidad and Tobago), in which participants engaged in a preparatory consultative roundtable that synthesized key challenges for Indian Ocean and African SIDS as well as coastal LDCs. Through key guiding questions, the rich discussion addressed the challenges in the region and explored solutions by identifying regional partners to co-design and co-host the forthcoming BBNJ Clinic Training Workshop.
Dr. Kahlil Hassanali at the BBNJ Side Event at COLP48 - ©GMU
Photos from ©GMU & ©WMU
ACCESS THE post event material below
Post event material to the BBNJ Clinic Consultative Workshop at the 48th Annual Conference on Oceans Law & Policy (COLP48)
About COLP48
The 48th Annual Conference on Oceans Law & Policy (COLP48), taking place from 9–12 September 2025, was hosted by Gujarat Maritime University in partnership with the WMU-GOI and the Stockton Center for International Law of the U.S. Naval War College. This year’s theme, “Developing World Approaches to Ocean Governance: Perspectives from the Indian Ocean Rim”, offered a valuable forum to address pressing legal and policy issues in maritime governance, security, and sustainability.
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.