The Agreement on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction

The long-awaited Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) was finalized by the United Nations in 2023. This historic agreement impacts how States conduct activities in areas beyond national jurisdiction (the High Seas and Deep Seabed) while also promoting collaboration and coordination among various international organizations.

This authoritative reference work brings together a range of international experts directly involved in the negotiations of the BBNJ Agreement to provide commentary and analysis. It offers a background to the development of the BBNJ Agreement, explores the negotiations that led to the final text, provides article-by-article commentary and analyzes the potential issues that States will need to navigate to ensure the Agreement is implemented successfully.

As the threat of marine biodiversity loss becomes more pressing, this book will be invaluable to scholars, lawyers, government officials, and non-governmental organisations focused on implementing and interpreting the text of this complex agreement.