BBNJ SYMPOSIUM 2025

Session Recordings

The panel discussed how the BBNJ Agreement complements the existing ocean governance framework, and how the law of the sea has evolved and will continue to adapt to future challenges. Speakers examined the opportunities and challenges of implementing the BBNJ Agreement, and shared lessons learnt from the implementation of other ocean laws and regulations. They also discussed the Agreement’s coherence with, and ability to advance ocean governance in ABNJ.

Moderator: Kenneth Wong, Senior Director and Senior State Counsel, Attorney-General’s Chambers, Singapore

Panel 2 featured discussion from state representatives and DOALOS on experiences in working towards the ratification of the BBNJ Agreement, including challenges and opportunities. Speakers touched on the role of stakeholder engagement and inter-governmental coordination, as well as capacity-building opportunities available for states seeking to ratify the Agreement.

Moderator: Robert Beckman, Emeritus Professor, NUS CIL

Speakers discussed state approaches to legislation and regulation surrounding EIAs, MGRs, ABMTs, and CBTMT. They also touched on the implementation of the Agreement’s Financial Mechanism, with a focus on capacity-building and how sustainable sources of funding can be established.

Moderator: Nguyen Lan-Ahn, Associate Professor and Director-General, East Sea Institute, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam

The roundtable featured researchers across different career stages discussing their roles in implementing the BBNJ Agreement through the integration of best scientific practices. The discussion focused on three thematic questions: (1) How can the BBNJ Agreement not only respect all forms of human knowledge but also bring the inherent value of nature into its work? (2) How can plans for data management needed by the STB and CHM take advantage of existing best practices in the research community and what are some major challenges? (3) How will all of this come together, and what might an integrated assessment of ecosystems and human activities in ABNJ look like? Panellists highlighted how the integration of best scientific practices in the implementation of the BBNJ Agreement can both support the objectives of the BBNJ Agreement and benefit the wider scientific community.

Moderator: Murray Roberts, Professor, University of Edinburgh

Moderated by Ambassador Rena Lee, the fireside chat focused on sharing the BBNJ Preparatory Commission’s priorities and scope of work for its upcoming meetings.

• Moderator: Ambassador for International Law Rena Lee

The panel discussed the interaction of the BBNJ COP with relevant IFBs and how IFBs may apply to activities in areas beyond national jurisdiction and contribute to implementation of the BBNJ Agreement. Speakers also discussed cooperation and coordination among relevant IFBs, and how IFBs work in concert with UNCLOS and the BBNJ Agreement.

Moderator: Zhen Sun, Associate Professor, World Maritime University

The panel discussed the roles and terms of reference of the BBNJ Agreement’s subsidiary bodies, such as the STB, the ABS Committee, the CBTMT Committee, and the ICC. Speakers also touched on the interactions between the different subsidiary bodies, with relevant IFBs, and with the BBNJ COP.

Moderator: Nilufer Oral, Director, NUS CIL

The panel discussed how the CHM could be structured for its users and stakeholders, for cataloguing and facilitating access to information. Speakers also discussed the interaction of the CHM with the Capacity-Building and Transfer of Marine Technology Committee and the Access and Benefit Sharing Committee. Speakers shared best-practices from other CHMs and industry/practitioners’ prior experiences with CHMs.

Moderator: Wendy Yap, Director (International Biodiversity Conservation), National Parks Board Singapore

The BBNJ Symposium 2025 was concluded by Dr Nilufer Oral, Director of the CIL-NUS, who celebrated the event's conclusion as the culmination of extensive preparations and a long-held vision.