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 in 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 June 2025, 51 countries have ratified the Agreement, meaning we are close to achieving the 60 ratifications required for the Agreement to enter into force.
As momentum builds toward the BBNJ Agreement’s early ratification and 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 June 2025, 51 countries have ratified the Agreement, meaning we are close to achieving the 60 ratifications required for the Agreement to enter into force.
As momentum builds toward the BBNJ Agreement’s early ratification and 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.
Stay tuned for more information on the third BBNJ Symposium to be held in March 2026 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil!
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For any queries regarding participation in the upcoming BBNJ Symposium 2026 in Brazil, please contact events@maraconsultants.co.uk
For any queries regarding participation in the upcoming BBNJ Symposium 2026 in Brazil, please contact events@maraconsultants.co.uk
Background image - Cold-water coral assemblage on a vertical wall in the Whittard Canyon, NE Atlantic. Image courtesy NOC/JC237, iAtlantic Research Programme