IUCN at BBNJ PrepCom3

IUCN traditionally participates in BBNJ negotiations as an observer providing scientific and legal advisor to States and regional groups, a provider of evidence‑based options for institutional design and convener of expert dialogues and side events. 

IUCN's overarching goal for this final PrepCom is to ensure that it delivers a coherent, ambitious, and operational package of recommendations that will empower COP1 to take meaningful conservation decisions from day one.

At PrepCom 3, IUCN’s engagement will focus on ensuring that the institutions and rules established now will enable a strong, operational, and ambitious BBNJ Agreement. PrepCom III is mandated to finalize recommendations on the institutional architecture for the first COP. IUCN’s objectives include promoting robust governance structures, including:

• A strong Scientific and Technical Body

• A transparent and inclusive Clearing‑House Mechanism

• An effective financial mechanism

• Effective COP rules of procedure

IUCN willl also work to ensure institutions are science‑based, transparent, and inclusive of Indigenous Peoples, civil society, and scientific networks.

IUCN engagements

Beside taking part in the formal segments of the Prep Com meeting, IUCN is organising and co-organising a series of high-level events aimed at mainstreaming its key messages, galvanise political momentum for BBNJ, promote key programme delivery, these include:

• 25^th March - Celebrating Progress, Building Momentum: Towards COP1 of the High Seas Treaty

• 25^th March - BBNJ High Ambition Coalition networking reception

• 26^th March - Celebrating Kristina Gjerde, from Legacy to Future (livestream here)

• 27^th March - Launch of the IKI Living High Seas initiative

• 30^th March - RFMOs unpacked: what’s already delivering for BBNJ, and what comes next