The World Maritime University-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute (WMU-GOI) BBNJ Clinic team, Dr. Kahlil Hassanali, Postdoctoral Fellow, and Dr. Ríán Derrig, Assistant Professor, participated in the First National Intragovernmental Workshop on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement Accession and Readiness, held from 7–10 September 2026 in Swakopmund, Namibia.
First National Intragovernmental Workshop
on BBNJ Agreement Accession and Readiness
Facilitated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF), and Blue Marine Foundation (BMF), the workshop brought together representatives from key Namibian government ministries and institutions, as well as other stakeholders, including members of the recently established Namibia National Committee on BBNJ.
The workshop aimed to support the Namibia National Committee on BBNJ in building the foundational understanding and institutional readiness needed for Namibia to make an informed decision on possible accession to the BBNJ Agreement. This included building a common understanding of the Agreement, strengthening a cross-ministerial working group on Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ) governance, and building readiness for the integration of the BBNJ Agreement within Namibia’s ocean governance frameworks in preparation for its eventual implementation.
Discussions focused on the legal and technical obligations of the Agreement, its relationship with national legislation and existing regional and international frameworks, and the opportunities and requirements associated with accession. An important outcome is the development of a three-year roadmap for national BBNJ readiness, including priorities for capacity building, resource mobilisation, and integration of the Agreement within Namibia’s ocean governance frameworks.
WMU-GOI Contributions
Dr. Kahlil Hassanali and Dr. Ríán Derrig contributed as subject-matter experts, bringing legal, policy, scientific, negotiating, and implementation experience to discussions on Namibia’s potential accession to the BBNJ Agreement.
dr. kahlil hassanali
- postdoctoral fellow, goi -
Dr. Kahlil Hassanali participated onsite in sessions addressing the substantive components of the BBNJ Agreement, notably the Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) pillar, including its associated obligations, practical considerations, and possible implementation challenges and benefits. He also contributed to discussions on the Domestication and Harmonization of the BBNJ Agreement with National Law, sharing perspectives on integrating international obligations into national legal frameworks. On finance and resource mobilisation, he provided an overview of the BBNJ financial mechanism, including providing insight into draft decisions and outcomes of the Preparatory Commission going into the 1st Conference of Parties.
dr. RÍÁN derrig
- assistant professor, goi -
Dr. Ríán Derrig contributed online to discussions on the Domestication and Harmonization of the Agreement with National Law, sharing lessons learned from previous domestication processes and highlighting opportunities for support. He also contributed to a session on the Capacity-Building and Transfer of Marine Technology (CBTMT) component, focusing on Namibia’s national capacity needs, the clearing-house mechanism, technological challenges, and opportunities to support marine scientific research and implementation through the mechanisms established under the Agreement.
The workshop provided an important opportunity for WMU-GOI to share expertise through the Ireland–WMU-GOI BBNJ Clinic Programme, while gaining insights into Namibia’s national priorities and implementation considerations. The engagement further strengthened collaboration with national and regional partners and contributed to the Clinic Programme’s mission of supporting States in building capacity for accession to and implementation of the BBNJ Agreement.
For more information please contact the WMU-GOI at goisecretariat@wmu.se
ABOUT THE world maritime university
The World Maritime University (WMU) in Malmö, Sweden is established within the framework of the International Maritime Organization, a specialized agency of the United Nations. The mission of WMU is to be the world centre of excellence in postgraduate maritime and oceans education, professional training and research, while building global capacity and promoting sustainable development. WMU is an organization by and for the international maritime community and is committed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Agenda.
About THE WMU-SASAKAWA GLOBAL OCEAN INSTITUTE
The World Maritime University’s WMU-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute (WMU-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