The Agreement under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) was adopted by Member States on 19 June 2023.
Covering nearly two-thirds of the planet, the ocean is rich in marine life but faces increasing threats from climate change, pollution and overfishing. The BBNJ Agreement offers the international community a new multilateral framework to advance cooperation and coordination in support of the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
On 19 September 2025, the BBNJ Agreement reached the threshold of 60 ratifications by UN Member States, setting it on course to enter into force 120 days later. While the signature period closed on 20 September 2025, countries are still able to become parties by acceding. For the latest status of signatures and ratifications, visit the UN Treaty Collection website.
“The success of the BBNJ Agreement is vital to protect our marine environment and ensure sustainable use of shared ocean resources. As the proud home of 17 multilateral environmental agreements, regional conventions and scientific panels, as well as deep expertise in ocean governance, UNEP is uniquely positioned to quickly and effectively support implementation of the BBNJ.” Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP.
Future secretariat
The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has submitted an Offer to host the permanent secretariat of the BBNJ Agreement at a location to be decided by the Parties.
UNEP’s Offer outlines its mandate, institutional capacity, and decades of experience in supporting Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) and scientific platforms. With over 50 years of leadership in marine and biodiversity governance — including support to the Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans, facilitation of science-policy interfaces, and provision of services to 15 MEAs and two Action Plans — UNEP is well-positioned to host the BBNJ Secretariat.
The Offer reflects UNEP’s longstanding commitment to advancing conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of marine resources through integrated ocean governance approaches to manage areas within and beyond national jurisdiction.
Supporting regional and global cooperation
UNEP works across regional and global levels to strengthen ocean governance. Click here to find out more about UNEP’s role in multilateral environmental agreements that support marine and coastal protection.
