Adopted on 19 June 2023, the BBNJ Agreement is the third implementing agreement to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and has been signed by more than 100 parties, including Vietnam and Germany. The agreement is vital for protecting the ocean, promoting equity and fairness, addressing environmental degradation, combating climate change, and preventing biodiversity loss in the high seas.
The OD13 hybrid event featured nearly 20 distinguished international and national speakers and over 200 participants who engaged in dynamic discussions on the key contents of the BBNJ Agreement, the prospects of deep-sea mining regulations, and the opportunities and challenges for further cooperation in the Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ).
We were honored to have Her Excellency Ms. Rena Lee, Singapore Ambassador for Oceans and Law of the Sea Issues and President of the United Nations Intergovernmental Conference on the BBNJ Agreement, deliver the keynote address, providing invaluable insights on this agreement. Additionally, significant contributions were made by German experts Dr. Kerstin Kröger, Senior Research Fellow at Queen's University Belfast, and Prof. Nele Matz-Lück from the University of Kiel Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, who shared their expertise on deep-sea mining and BBNJ dispute settlement mechanisms. During the event, several specific legal recommendations were discussed to enhance cooperation in the exploration, exploitation, and preservation of marine biodiversity in ABNJ.
The 13th Ocean Dialogue highlighted the increasing attention on deep-sea mining due to the growing demand for minerals essential for the energy transition and climate policy, as well as the potential negative impacts and effects of deep sea mining. More exploration and marine scientific research as well as establishment of rules are needed prior to potential exploitation.
The event concluded with a call for continued dialogue and collaboration to address the challenges and opportunities in the high and deep seas, emphasizing the need to balance economic growth, environmental protection, and social well-being, and to implement the BBNJ flexibly and effectively.
