New IUCN Policy Brief: Digital Sequence Information (DSI) as a Means of Financing Under the BBNJ Agreement

🔗 Access the full policy brief here

Key Highlights from the Policy Brief

✅ Summary of Key Messages and IUCN Recommendations for policy-makers and high-level audiences 
✅ The role of DSI in marine biodiversity research and innovation 
✅ Lessons from the CBD’s approach to benefit-sharing mechanisms 
✅ The BBNJ Special Fund and its potential for financing conservation 
✅ Recommendations for aligning multilateral environmental agreements
✅ Emphasises coordinated global efforts to ensure fair and equitable access to marine genetic resources.

For the first time, the BBNJ Agreement provides a global framework to address Digital Sequence Information (DSI) in areas beyond national jurisdiction—promoting transparency, equitable benefit-sharing, and innovation. With the vast potential of marine biodiversity, particularly in untapped microbial life, we have a unique opportunity to advance biotechnology, medicine, and conservation. This policy brief draws on key lessons from the CBD and COP16 to help shape a fair and effective financial mechanism for the future of our ocean." 

Amber Scholz, Head of Science Policy & Internationalization Department, Leibniz Institute DSMZ

Background

The ocean, with its immense biodiversity, holds vast potential for addressing global challenges ranging from healthcare to sustainable development. However, this biodiversity, particularly in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), is under increasing threat from overexploitation, pollution, and climate change. The recently adopted BBNJ Agreement emphasizes the conservation and sustainable use of marine genetic resources (MGR) and highlights the critical role of DSI.

The BBNJ Agreement is a critical step toward protecting marine biodiversity and ensuring that the benefits of genetic resources are shared equitably among all nations. Through strong governance, financial transparency, and global cooperation, we can create a fair and effective system that upholds conservation while fostering equitable access and benefit-sharing for present and future generations."

Minna Epps, Global Ocean Director, IUCN Centre for Conservation Action

DSI in ABNJ

Marine genetic resources hold immense economic potential for pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and beyond, yet their sustainable use requires strong governance. Given the high costs of collection in areas beyond national jurisdiction, aligning the BBNJ Agreement with existing frameworks like the CBD is essential to ensuring equitable benefit-sharing and strengthening global regulatory coherence." 

Marcel Jaspars, Marine Biodiscovery Centre, University of Aberdeen 

DSI refers broadly to data derived from the genetic material of organisms, including nucleotide sequences (deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA)) and potentially other data types to be determined.

Although the BBNJ Agreement does not provide a formal definition of DSI, Article 15.5 encourages collaboration with existing instruments to harmonize benefit-sharing practices and establish best practices for data governance. Despite the current small size of the ABNJ DSI dataset (0.06% of the global biodiversity DSI dataset), there is significant potential for expanding its value through cooperation with other frameworks such as the CBD, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and World Health Organization (WHO).

The BBNJ Agreement is the first United Nations (UN) instrument to constructively address DSI in the context of ABNJ, aiming to foster transparency, equitable benefit-sharing, and innovation. Marine biodiversity, particularly in microbial and less-studied organisms, offers unique opportunities for developing pharmaceuticals, enzymes, and biotechnology products.

To ensure the effective implementation of the BBNJ Agreement, the Conference of the Parties must establish a robust and predictable financial framework by 2030, drawing from diverse public and private sources. A well-designed Special Fund—integrating mandatory and voluntary contributions, including from industry—will be key to closing funding gaps, avoiding duplication, and fostering a unified One Ocean finance architecture that supports biodiversity conservation at scale." 

Torsten Thiele, CEO, Global Ocean Trust

For more information, visit www.iucn.org