KIOST·Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Hold BBNJ Agreement Briefing Session

Introduction to the Background, Significance, and Content of the BBNJ Agreement

The Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST) will hold a “Briefing Session on the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement)” jointly with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries at the KIOST Busan headquarters on the 8th.

The BBNJ Agreement is the third implementing agreement of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and is the first global multilateral treaty aimed at protecting the marine environment and biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, such as the high seas and deep seabed, which account for about two-thirds of the ocean.

After nearly 20 years of discussions, the agreement text was officially adopted on June 19 of this year, and the signature process by various countries is scheduled to begin on September 20.

This briefing session will be the first detailed introduction of the BBNJ Agreement to industry, academia, environmental organizations, and the general public. It will include a keynote lecture on the background and significance of the BBNJ Agreement, an explanation of its main contents, expert panel discussions from various sectors, and a Q&A session with participants.

The briefing will be conducted via the online platform “Zoom,” allowing anyone to listen to expert lectures and discussions on the BBNJ Agreement and participate in the Q&A. Access to the briefing can be gained through the QR code on the poster.

Poster for the "Briefing Session on the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement)."

Cho Seung-hwan, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, said, “I hope this briefing session will serve as an opportunity to inform the public about the introduction of a new maritime order and to discuss marine conservation and sustainable use measures together with related industries, academia, and environmental organizations.”

He added, “The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will diligently prepare for the ratification process of the agreement, including domestic legal and institutional arrangements for the implementation of the BBNJ Agreement.”

Kang Do-hyung, President of KIOST, said, “With the introduction of the BBNJ Agreement, I hope it will help establish a normative framework to proactively respond to the global marine environmental crisis and create a sustainable ocean.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.