18-19 February, Singapore

BBNJ SYMPOSIUM 2025

Programme
Registration
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 31 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, 20th 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
Don't miss the event!
Background image - Cold-water coral assemblage on a vertical wall in the Whittard Canyon, NE Atlantic. Image courtesy NOC/JC237, iAtlantic Research Programme