(NEWS) BBNJ Clinic Workshop Delivered at OECS Fourth Blue Economy Roundtable

November

2024

BBNJ Clinic Workshop Delivered at OECS Fourth Blue Economy Roundtable

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From 15 to 16 October, the World Maritime University (WMU)-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute (GOI) contributed to the Fourth Blue Economy Roundtable convened by the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission in St. Lucia. Further to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed between the OECS and WMU in 2023, the WMU-GOI delivered a consultative workshop on the BBNJ Agreement within the framework of the “Ireland WMU-GOI BBNJ Clinic Programme” (BBNJ Clinic) that is generously supported by Ireland.

For the round table discussions, the OECS Commission partnered with WMU, the PROCARIBE Project, UNEP-CAR, and the ICCF Group, among others, to focus on the multifaceted pathways by which blue economies might be built, emphasizing the importance of policy coherence. Sessions focused on pollution, waste management, and the BBNJ Agreement and included the launch of the Matching Grants Programme (UBEC Project) and an ocean governance team meeting. Day one also featured a high-level component under the theme “Beyond Aspiration – The OECS Model Blue Economy Region” with high-level delegations such as the Honourable Kerryne James, Grenada Minister for Climate Resilience, the Environment, and Renewable Energy; and French Ambassador to the Eastern Caribbean States, to Barbados and to the OECS, H.E. Francis Etienne. In his address, Ambassador Etienne stressed the importance for the region of the ratification of the BBNJ Agreement. The speeches from the High level Roundtable can be viewed on the OECS Youtube page here.

Within the framework of the Ireland WMU-GOI BBNJ Clinic Programme, the WMU-GOI led a “BBNJ Clinic Workshop: Consultative Session for Caribbean States Towards Agreement Ratification”, tailored to the regional needs of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) regarding the BBNJ Agreement. The workshop adopted a Blue Economy focus, paving the way for the upcoming training and model legislation drafting workshops to support SIDS and LDCs in their ratification of the Agreement. Dr. Kahlil Hassanali, WMU Alumnus and lead negotiator for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on the environmental impact assessment provisions of the BBNJ Agreement, commenced the workshop with a presentation about the Agreement. Professor Ronán Long, Director of the WMU-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute, followed with an introduction to the Ireland WMU-GOI BBNJ Clinic Programme, what it entails, and its objectives and outputs. The presentations laid the foundation for the consultative dialogue portion of the workshop facilitated by Ms Elnaz Barjandi, Programme and Operations Manager for the WMU-GOI, with the participants assessing their understanding of the BBNJ Agreement and identifying OECS capacity needs regarding its ratification.

The workshop was attended by ocean and maritime expert representatives from OECS Member States and delegates from local governments and ministries including Maritime Authorities as well as experts from UN Agencies, regional organizations, industry and the civil society. In closing the workshop, Professor Ronán Long, Director of the WMU-GOI and Dr. Hassanali highlighted the value of early ratification of the BBNJ Agreement for Caribbean States, who could be among the most significant beneficiaries of the Agreement. In addition to allowing Caribbean States to participate in the first Conference of the Parties (COP), early ratification can provide the opportunity to occupy seats at the institutions created for the Agreement’s implementation – empowering them to influence decisions that impact their blue economies and to shape, access, and take part in capacity development and benefit sharing.

In addition, the WMU-GOI hosted an exhibition booth that provided the opportunity for local schools and youth to learn more about the oceans, showcasing the University’s commitment to advancing ocean health and the blue economy through education, research, and capacity development.

About the World Maritime University
The World Maritime University (WMU) in Malmö, Sweden is established within the framework of the International Maritime Organization, a specialized agency of the United Nations. The mission of WMU is to be the world centre of excellence in postgraduate maritime and oceans education, professional training and research, while building global capacity and promoting sustainable development. WMU is an organization by and for the international maritime community and is committed to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development..

About the WMU-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute
The World Maritime University (WMU)-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute (GOI) is an independent focal point for the ocean science-policy-law-industry-society interface where policymakers, the scientific community, regulators, industry actors, academics, and representatives of civil society meet to discuss how best to manage and use ocean spaces and their resources in accordance with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Institute was inaugurated in May 2018 and made possible through generous support from The Nippon Foundation of Japan, the Governments of Sweden, Canada, and Germany, as well as the City of Malmö.

About the BBNJ Clinic Programme

The Ireland WMU-GOI BBNJ Clinic is dedicated to supporting Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and coastal Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in their efforts to ratify and implement the BBNJ Agreement. Effective and prompt implementation of the BBNJ Agreement is crucial for ocean sustainability and conservation and addressing global inequalities in access to ocean resources. SIDS, characterized as ‘large ocean states’ due to their geographical features and interconnection with and knowledge of ocean ecosystems, as well as coastal LDCs, are among the most significant beneficiaries of the Agreement and among the most important actors in contemporary ocean affairs. However, these States can face capacity and resource challenges in implementing the BBNJ Agreement. The Programme aims to fulfill both practical capacity development and hands-on educational mandates. WMU-GOI researchers and external experts, including the lead negotiators of the BBNJ intergovernmental conference, will lead the consultation process facilitated by the Clinic, and facilitate ratification and implementation procedures undertaken by legal advisors, government officials, and relevant stakeholders from SIDS and coastal LDCs.

For more information about the Ireland WMU-GOI BBNJ Clinic Programme, contact the WMU-GOI team at goievents@wmu.se.

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