WMU Co-Hosts High-Level Roundtable and BBNJ Clinic Workshop
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From 21–24 April 2026, the World Maritime University–Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute (WMU-GOI), in partnership with the Government of Seychelles’ Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Blue Economy, hosted a hybrid High-Level Roundtable and BBNJ Clinic Workshop in Victoria, Seychelles.
Titled “From Agreement to Action: Supporting Indian Ocean and African SIDS and Coastal LDCs in the implementation of the BBNJ Agreement,” the workshop focused on strengthening capacity for implementation of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement). Adopted on 19 June 2023 and entering into force on 17 January 2026.
The event opened with a High-Level Roundtable moderated by Professor Ronán Long, Director of WMU-GOI, featuring keynote contributions from senior representatives of the Seychelles Government, the judiciary, regional organizations, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the United Nations. Discussions emphasized that the BBNJ Agreement presents a transformative opportunity for ocean conservation and equity, but that its success will depend on translating global commitments into effective national and regional action through cooperation, legal alignment, capacity-building, and inclusive partnerships.
The technical workshop sessions on 22–23 April explored states’ ratification experiences, implementation challenges, and perspectives from intergovernmental, civil society, and academic actors. Presentations from Seychelles, Comoros, Madagascar, and Singapore highlighted the leadership role of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in advancing the Agreement while identifying common challenges including limited technical capacity, data access, and financing needs. Participants stressed the importance of national assessments, cross-ministerial coordination, and regional cooperation ahead of the first Conference of the Parties in January 2027. Additional experts contributed to the event from the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UN DOALOS), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), IUCN, the High Seas Alliance (HSA), and the National Geography Centre (NOC). The presentations reinforced that implementation will require strong institutional support, financing, scientific cooperation, and meaningful participation of SIDS and developing states.
Four technical drafting-focused discussion sessions addressed the Agreement’s core elements: Area-Based Management Tools, Marine Protected Areas, Capacity-Building and Transfer of Marine Technology, Environmental Impact Assessments, and Marine Genetic Resources and Benefit-Sharing. The sessions enabled participants to exchange experiences on legal and practical implementation challenges, including monitoring systems, inter-agency coordination, fisheries management, maritime crime, and stakeholder engagement. Discussions highlighted the importance of sustainable funding, institutional cooperation, coherent legislation, and integration with existing frameworks such as the Nagoya Protocol to ensure equitable and effective long-term implementation.
The event concluded with a cultural field tour to the Seychelles Fisheries Authority’s Aquaculture Broodstock, Acclimation and Quarantine Facility as well as the Port Launay Wetlands and Constance Ephelia Mangrove site. More than 90 participants from over 32 countries attended, with women representing 59% of participants. The discussions provided valuable insights into regional opportunities, challenges, and capacity needs that will inform future activities under the BBNJ Clinic Programme.
Convened within the framework of the Ireland WMU–GOI BBNJ Clinic Programme, the event was generously funded by the Government of Ireland - International Development Programme as well as sponsorship by The Nippon Foundation of the WMU-GOI and contribution by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) through the IUCN BBNJ Africa project funded by the Bloomberg Ocean Fund and the Minderoo Foundation.
More information about the BBNJ Agreement and the Workshop, including post-event material, can be found on the BBNJ Clinic website.
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 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
About the WMU-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute
The World Maritime University (WMU)-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute (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.
About the BBNJ Clinic Programme
Funded by Ireland, the BBNJ Clinic Programme is implemented by the WMU-GOI with the aim to assist Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in ratifying and implementing the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement)BBNJ Agreement. The Clinic offers legal and policy support to ensure inclusive participation in ocean governance.
