The Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea of the Office of Legal Affairs of the United Nations (the Division), in cooperation with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), is offering a Regional Workshop on promoting a better understanding 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) for African States on the coasts of the Indian Ocean, Gulf of Aden and Red Sea, and landlocked States in these regions, as well as member States of the Benguela Current Convention.
The in-person Workshop will be held from 1 to 5 December 2025 at the United Nations Conference Centre in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and will be hosted by ECA.
The Workshop will be delivered in two segments: the first segment, delivered by the Division, will provide an overview of the BBNJ Agreement, covering all main elements of the Agreement as well as cross-cutting issues. The second segment, delivered by IUCN, will provide an opportunity for in-depth learning about a number of aspects pertaining to area-based management tools, including marine protected areas, as well as the necessary means of implementation.
The segment delivered by the Division is part of its programme of activities undertaken in response to General Assembly resolution 77/321 to promote a better understanding of the BBNJ Agreement and to prepare for its entry into force, with additional support received from the European Union.
More information on the Workshop, including with regard to participation, funding and nominations, can be found in the Notification of the Workshop in English or the Notification of the Workshop in French.
Nominees for the in-person Workshop must register through the respective form by 15 October 2025 (extended until 20 October 2025). The user guide for the Indico portal can be found here.
Please note that each nominee is required to register individually. A formal nomination issued by the Government or, in the case of intergovernmental organisations or other entities, by the head of the organisation or entity is required to complete the registration.
Selected participants will be notified in due course.
