On 18-19 February 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore (MFA) and the NUS Centre for International Law (CIL), in collaboration with Mara Consultants, organized the BBNJ Symposium 2025 at the Orchard Hotel, in Singapore.
The Symposium followed a series of events promoted by CIL concerning the 2023 Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement). For example, the Centre organized a Workshop on this subject in 2016, when the topic was being addressed by the Preparatory Commission of the Intergovernmental Conference that eventually adopted the BBNJ Agreement in 2023.
This year, following seminars, publications and other efforts concerned with the topic at CIL, the Symposium was held in anticipation of the sessions of the Preparatory Commission for the Entry into Force of the BBNJ Agreement and the Convening of the First Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Agreement. The event was also conceived to contribute to the race for ratification of the Agreement by States and Regional Economic Integration Organizations. Singapore is one of the 21 States so far that have ratified it, which requires 60 ratifications to enter into force.
To this end, the Symposium brought together almost 450 participants, in-person and online, including senior representatives from governments and intergovernmental organisations, distinguished scholars, industry leaders, civil society, and students. All regions of the world were represented.
The Organisation has made publicly available a Report of the Symposium outlining its key takeaways, along with recordings and slides used by some of the speakers during their presentations.
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DAY ONE | 18 FEB 2025 | Recordings & Presentation Slides
OPENING CEREMONY
- Welcome Address by Ambassador-At-Large Professor Tommy Koh
- Keynote Address by Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore Dr Vivian Balakrishnan
Panel 1: The BBNJ Agreement and its Contributions to Ocean Governance
Discussing how the BBNJ Agreement complements the ocean governance framework, and how the law of the sea has evolved and will continue to adapt to future challenges. Speakers will examine the opportunities and challenges of implementing the BBNJ Agreement, and share lessons learnt from the implementation of other ocean laws and regulations. Speakers will discuss the Agreement’s coherence with, and ability to advance ocean governance, particularly in the high seas and deep seabed.
Moderator: Kenneth Wong, Senior Director and Senior State Counsel, Attorney-General’s Chambers, Singapore
Panel 2: Ratification – Challenges and Opportunities
Discussion by member states on experiences in working towards the ratification of the BBNJ Agreement including challenges and lessons learnt. Speakers will touch on the role of stakeholder engagement and inter-governmental coordination, as well as capacity-building opportunities available for states seeking to ratify.
Moderator: Robert Beckman, Emeritus Professor, NUS CIL
Panel 3: Implementation of the BBNJ Agreement
Speakers will discuss state approaches to legislation and regulation surrounding environmental impact assessments, marine genetic resources, area-based management tools, and capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology. Speakers will also touch on the implementation of the Agreement’s funding mechanisms, assessed contributions and the access and benefit sharing fund, with a focus on capacity-building and how sustainable sources of funding can be established.
Moderator: Nguyen Lan-Ahn, Associate Professor and Director-General, East Sea Institute, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam
Research roundtable
This roundtable features researchers across career stages discussing their roles in implementing the BBNJ Agreement through the integration of best scientific practices. The discussion will focus on the standardisation of data collection, coordination of research activities, and the importance of baseline data with examples focussing upon marine genetic resources and area-based management tools. Panellists will highlight how these efforts can both support the objectives of the BBNJ Agreement and benefit the wider scientific community.
Moderator: Murray Roberts, Professor, University of Edinburgh
DAY TWO| 19 FEB 2025 | Recordings & Presentation Slides
Fireside Chat with Co-chairs of the BBNJ Preparatory Commission
Sharing the BBNJ Preparatory Commission’s priorities and scope of work for its upcoming meetings.
Moderator: Ambassador for International Law Rena Lee
Panel 4: Cooperation with Relevant Instruments, Frameworks and Bodies (IFBs) under the BBNJ Agreement
Discussing the interaction of the BBNJ COP with relevant IFBs; how IFBs may apply to activities in areas beyond national jurisdiction and contribute to implementation of the BBNJ Agreement; cooperation and coordination among relevant IFBs; and how IFBs work in concert with UNCLOS and the BBNJ Agreement.
Moderator: Zhen Sun, Associate Professor, World Maritime University
Panel 5: Subsidiary Bodies
Discussing the roles and terms of reference of the BBNJ Agreement’s subsidiary bodies, such as the Scientific and Technical Body, the Access and Benefit Sharing Committee, the Capacity-Building and Transfer of Marine Technology Committee, and the Implementation and Compliance Committee; the interactions between the different subsidiary bodies, with relevant IFBs, and with the BBNJ COP.
Moderator: Nilufer Oral, Director, NUS CIL
Panel 6: Clearing House Mechanism (CHM)
Discussing how the CHM could be structured for its users and stakeholders, for cataloguing and facilitating access to information; the interaction of the CHM with the Capacity-Building and Transfer of Marine Technology Committee and the Access and Benefit Sharing Committee; sharing best-practices from other CHMs; and industry/practitioners’ prior experiences with CHMs.
Moderator: Wendy Yap, Director (International Biodiversity Conservation), National Parks Board Singapore
Closing Ceremony