The workshop aims to serve as a familiarisation exercise for national agencies, ensuring that all relevant stakeholders are aware of their respective roles and responsibilities under the BBNJ Agreement. It will also provide an overview of existing national legislation/regulations/policies that are relevant for the effective implementation of the BBNJ Agreement.
IUCN has been actively involved in the BBNJ process from the outset, facilitating informed decision-making guided by science and expert knowledge shared with our State Members and partners. As the largest and oldest international environmental organisation, IUCN Oceania proudly supports national governments in the Pacific, in coordination with OPOC, to advance our collective goals for the conservation and sustainable use of Marine Biological Diversity Beyond National Jurisdictions.
In her opening remarks, Ms. Leituala Kuiniselani Toelupe Tago, Regional Director of IUCN Oceania Regional Office stated, “The BBNJ Agreement is crucial for Oceania, reflecting our deep connection to the ocean as part of our cultural heritage and identity. This region relies on the ocean for sustenance, livelihoods, and sustainability. As traditional custodians of the world’s largest ocean, Oceania faces challenges such as overexploitation and climate change. The BBNJ Agreement provides a framework for collective action, promoting collaboration and ecosystem-based approaches to conservation.”
