Four thematic group meetings were held between 21 and 25 September 2026 under the “Project on Enabling Activities and Ratification Support for the BBNJ Agreement,” funded by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), with the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks of the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry as the beneficiary and implemented by the Ankara University National Center for the Sea and Maritime Law (DEHUKAM).
The meetings, attended by representatives of relevant public institutions and other stakeholders, aimed to raise awareness of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement), and to identify potential legal and institutional gaps through an assessment of national legislation in light of the Agreement’s provisions.
21 September – Area-Based Management Tools (ABMTs) Thematic Group Meeting
The provisions of the BBNJ Agreement concerning area-based management tools and marine protected areas were discussed. Participants exchanged views on the mandates and responsibilities of relevant institutions and the assessment of existing national legislation in light of the Agreement’s provisions.
23 September – Marine Genetic Resources Thematic Group Meeting
The BBNJ Agreement’s provisions on marine genetic resources in areas beyond national jurisdiction and the sharing of benefits arising from their utilization were examined. Views were exchanged on identifying needs and potential gaps within the existing legislative and institutional framework.
24 September – Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Thematic Group Meeting
The BBNJ Agreement’s provisions on environmental impact assessment and their implications for national legislation and implementation were discussed. Existing regulations for the protection of the marine environment and potential legal and institutional measures required for national implementation were assessed.
25 September – Capacity-Building and Transfer of Technology Thematic Group Meeting
The obligations and cooperation mechanisms under the BBNJ Agreement concerning capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology were discussed. Participants exchanged views on the existing capacities and needs of relevant institutions, as well as the mechanisms that may need to be developed at the national level.
We hope that the views and assessments gathered during the thematic group meetings will contribute to raising awareness of the national implementation of the BBNJ Agreement and to Türkiye’s legal and institutional preparations concerning the Agreement.
