Marine biological diversity - that is the variety of life forms in the ocean - underpins many key ecosystem functions and plays a vital role in sustaining life on Earth. Pressures resulting from intensifying human activities both on land and at sea lead to the destruction of habitats, the depletion of marine resources and the loss of marine biological diversity, with potentially large socio-economic impacts.
Ensuring the conservation and sustainable use of Marine Biological Diversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction - abbreviated BBNJ - is of particular importance as it is not fully supported by the existing legal and institutional framework in place. In 2015, States adopted a resolution at the United Nations to develop an international legally binding instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the conservation and sustainable use of BBNJ. Formal negotiations have been ongoing at the United Nations since 2018.
This platform offers a deep dive into the various aspects related to conservation and sustainable use of BBNJ, with a particular focus on the Abidjan Convention Region (Central and Southern Africa Region). Navigate the selection of topics below to learn more about BBNJ in the South-East Atlantic.