Seoul, Republic of Korea | 30 June - 3 July 2026
NOWPAP, one of the UNEP Regional Seas programmes, participated in the Fifth Sustainable Ocean Initiative (SOI) Global Dialogue with Regional Seas Organizations (RSOs) and Regional Fishery Bodies (RFBs), held in Seoul, Republic of Korea, from 30 June to 3 July 2026.
Convened by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the meeting brought together representatives of regional and international organizations to enhance cross-sectoral collaboration in support of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) and the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement).
Sharing regional experiences across the Pacific Ocean Basin
As part of the Pacific Ocean regional group, NOWPAP contributed to a joint presentation delivered on behalf of the Permanent Commission for the South Pacific (CPPS), NOWPAP, the Pacific Community (SPC), and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).
The presentation highlighted practical experiences in regional cooperation on marine biodiversity conservation, scientific collaboration, ecosystem-based management, marine spatial planning and capacity building across the Pacific Ocean Basin.
It also showcased examples of regional coordination mechanisms that support the implementation of global biodiversity commitments and promote collaboration among regional organizations.
Throughout the meeting, NOWPAP actively participated in regional and thematic discussions, sharing experiences from the Northwest Pacific on marine pollution prevention, marine litter, eutrophication monitoring, regional scientific assessments and science-policy cooperation.
Advancing cooperation for the KMGBF and BBNJ Agreement
Participants discussed practical ways to improve collaboration among RSOs, RFBs and other intergovernmental organizations to support implementation of the KMGBF and prepare for the entry into force of the BBNJ Agreement.
Discussions emphasized the need to strengthen regional scientific cooperation, harmonize monitoring and reporting, promote information sharing and capacity building, and build on existing regional mechanisms while respecting the mandates of different organizations.
NOWPAP contributed to thematic discussions on marine pollution, monitoring and assessment, and environmental impact assessment, highlighting regional experiences that could inform future implementation of global ocean biodiversity commitments.
Strengthening partnerships through bilateral engagement
On the margins of the meeting, NOWPAP Coordinator Yegor Volovik joined other UNEP Regional Seas Coordinators, under the leadership of Alberto Pacheco, Chief of the UNEP Regional Seas Branch, for a bilateral meeting with Mr. Jeongho Seo, Deputy Minister for Marine Policy at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea.
The meeting reaffirmed the long-standing partnership between UNEP and the Republic of Korea in marine environmental cooperation. Discussions covered progress on the development of the NOWPAP interim Programme of Work, implementation of the Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA) Ghost Gear Project, preparations for the Republic of Korea - Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO-IOC) BBNJ initiative, and the UNEP emerging proposal to support BBNJ implementation through regional cooperation, science, technology and artificial intelligence.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to continued collaboration in preparation for the Fourth United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC-4).
Also, UNEP Regional Seas Coordinators also held a separate coordination meeting with the Deputy Executive Secretary of CBD, Ms. Jihyun Lee, to exchange views on follow-up actions from the SOI Global Dialogue and explore opportunities to strengthen collaboration under the CBD and Regional Seas frameworks.
Looking ahead
The SOI Global Dialogue reaffirmed the important role of RSOs in advancing integrated ocean governance and promoting cooperation across biodiversity, fisheries and marine environmental sectors.
NOWPAP participation further strengthened its collaboration with the CBD Secretariat, UNEP Regional Seas programmes and regional partner organizations. The meeting also provided an opportunity to exchange experiences and identify practical areas for future cooperation in support of the KMGBF and the BBNJ Agreement.
