Welcome to the
BBNJ SYMPOSIUM SERIES
Advancing the BBNJ Agreement: A Global Symposium Series
Following its first iteration in October 2023 (Edinburgh, UK) and the second iteration in February 2025 (Singapore), we are happy to announce that the event series will continue with the third BBNJ Symposium on 10-12 March 2026 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil!
Since the BBNJ Agreement opened for signature in September 2023, the international community has been working towards the early entry into force of the Agreement. As of October 2025, 74 countries have ratified the Agreement, ensuring its entry into force on 17 January 2026.
At this timely moment with the Agreement entering into force just two months before the third Symposium, the theme for the upcoming event will focus on "The role of science and knowledge in BBNJ Implementation".
As momentum builds toward the BBNJ Agreement’s effective implementation, this series of international symposia has been convened to foster dialogue, share expertise, and support state and stakeholder readiness. From Edinburgh to Singapore and beyond, we will continue to provide more details as they become available.
Since the BBNJ Agreement opened for signature in September 2023, the international community has been working towards the early entry into force of the Agreement. As of October 2025, 74 countries have ratified the Agreement, ensuring its entry into force on 17 January 2026.
At this timely moment with the Agreement entering into force just two months before the third Symposium, the theme for the upcoming event will focus on "The role of science and knowledge in BBNJ Implementation".
As momentum builds toward the BBNJ Agreement’s effective implementation, this series of international symposia has been convened to foster dialogue, share expertise, and support state and stakeholder readiness. From Edinburgh to Singapore and beyond, we will continue to provide more details as they become available.
BBNJ Symposium 2025 (Singapore)
The second BBNJ Symposium brought together almost 450 participants, in-person and online. It involved a diverse set of panellists from different sectors, including governments, civil society, industry and the research community, as well as discussions on the forthcoming work of the BBNJ Preparatory Commission.
Explore the symposium report, session recordings and photo archive here.
Explore the symposium report, session recordings and photo archive here.
Explore our photo gallery to view and download photos from past Symposia
BBNJ Symposium Series timeline
This inaugural event, held in October 2023 at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh, convened legal, scientific, and policy experts to explore the opportunities of the newly adopted BBNJ Agreement and the steps that may be required to encourage ratification and implementation.
The second BBNJ Symposium, held in February 2025 at the Orchard Hotel in Singapore, focused on issues pertaining to the ratification and implementation of the Agreement, and drew in perspectives from the Asia-Pacific region.
The third BBNJ Symposium, to be held on 10-12 March 2026 at the Museo de Amanhã in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, will focus on the role of science and knowledge in BBNJ, and draw in perspectives from Latin America. For more information, please view the draft high-level programme and subscribe to our mailing list below to receive the latest updates.
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For any queries regarding participation in the upcoming BBNJ Symposium 2026 in Brazil, please contact events@maraconsultants.co.uk and 3BBNJ@inpo.org.br.
For any queries regarding participation in the upcoming BBNJ Symposium 2026 in Brazil, please contact events@maraconsultants.co.uk and 3BBNJ@inpo.org.br.
Background image - Cold-water coral assemblage on a vertical wall in the Whittard Canyon, NE Atlantic. Image courtesy NOC/JC237, iAtlantic Research Programme