18-19 February, Singapore

BBNJ SYMPOSIUM 2025

Following its first iteration in October 2023 (Edinburgh, UK), the second BBNJ Symposium will take place from 18 to 19 February 2025 in Singapore!

Since the BBNJ Agreement opened for signature in September 2023, the international community has been working towards the early entry into force of the Agreement. To this end, the Symposium will focus on issues pertaining to the ratification and implementation of the Agreement, and draw in perspectives from the Asia-Pacific region. It will involve a diverse set of panellists from different sectors, including government, civil society and the research community. There will also be discussions on the forthcoming work of the BBNJ Preparatory Commission.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Symposium!

Registration

Please make sure to register to attend the Symposium by 20 January 2025.
In-person and online* registration available.

*Online participation implies access to the live streaming of the sessions.

PROGRAMME
Tentative

Tuesday, 18 February 2025

Day One

08:15-09:15 - Registration
09:15-09:30 - Keynote Address by Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore Dr Vivian Balakrishnan
09:30-11:00 - Panel 1: Ratification – Challenges and Opportunities
11:00-11:30 - Coffee Break
11:30-13:00 - Panel 2: Approach to Legislation and Regulation
13:00-14:00 - Lunch
14:00-15:30 - Panel 3: Financial rules, financial resources and processes
15:30-16:00 - Coffee Break
16:00-17:30 - Research roundtable involving early-stage researchers

Wednesday, 19 February 2025

Day Two

08:30-09:00 - Registration
09:00-10:30 - Fireside Chat with Co-chairs of the BBNJ Preparatory Commission
10:30-11:00 - Coffee Break
11:00-12:30 - Panel 4: Cooperation with relevant instruments, frameworks and bodies under the BBNJ Agreement
12:30-13:30 - Lunch
13:00-15:30 - Panel 5: Subsidiary Bodies
15:30-16:00 - Coffee Break
16:00-17:30 - Panel 6: Clearing House Mechanism (CHM)
17:30 - Closing Ceremony

Thursday, 20 February 2025

Satellite events

In conjunction with the main programme of the Symposium, Mara is pleased to offer a range of satellite events on Thursday, 20^th February 2025. Please click here to learn more and register your interest for the side events.

SPEAKERS

Coming soon

Registration for this event is free of charge, but as the venue has limited seating capacity
- make sure to secure your spot by 20 January 2025.

Symposium Registration

THE VENUE

Symposium will take place at Orchard Hotel, 442 Orchard Road, Singapore 238879

SYMPOSIUM ORGANISERS

In collaboration with

PROGRAMME ADVISORY GROUP

Prof. J Murray Roberts

Chair in Applied Marine Biology and Ecology, University of Edinburgh
Dr Anna Gebruk

Research Project Manager, University of Edinburgh
Dr Nilufer Oral

Director, National University of Singapore Centre for International Law (NUS CIL)
Emeritus Prof. Robert Beckman

Co-Head, Oceans Law and Policy Programme, NUS CIL
Dr Tara Davenport

Co-Head, Oceans Law and Policy Programme, NUS CIL
Eduardo Cavalcanti de Mello Filho

Research Associate, Oceans Law and Policy Programme, NUS CIL
Prof. Marcel Jaspars

Chair in Chemistry, University of Aberdeen
Dr Dani Diz

Associate Professor, Heriot-Watt University
Dr Pradeep Singh

Fellow, RIFS
Dr Vikki Gunn

Director, Seascape Consultants/GOBI
Monika Thiele

Coordinator (Acting), Regional Seas Programme, UNEP
Daniel Kachelriess

Cross Cutting Coordinator (Consultant), High Seas Alliance
Rizza Sacra-Dejucos

Asia Regional Coordinator, High Seas Alliance
Dr Thomas Vanagt

Co-CEO, ABSint
Kristina M. Gjerde, J.D.

Senior High Seas Advisor, IUCN

STAY INFORMED

To subscribe to our mailing list, fill in the form below.

For any questions regarding the main days of the symposium, contact cil.events@nus.edu.sg

For any queries regarding satellite events, contact events@maraconsultants.co.uk

Background image - Cold-water coral assemblage on a vertical wall in the Whittard Canyon, NE Atlantic. Image courtesy NOC/JC237, iAtlantic Research Programme