March 18, 2026
Accra, Ghana: HATOF Foundation convened a webinar on 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 (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement), contributing to efforts to strengthen national understanding of this global ocean governance framework.
The webinar functioned as a platform for sharing knowledge about the BBNJ Agreement and its importance to the Ghanaian audience. It gathered participants from government, academia, civil society, and development sectors to establish a basic understanding of the Agreement and its main elements.
The session provided an overview of the BBNJ framework and its origins, including its provisions on marine genetic resources, area-based management tools, environmental impact assessments, and capacity-building. It also outlined how the Agreement fits within the broader system of international environmental governance, including its linkages to the Convention on Biological Diversity, and from a national lens, Ghana’s blue economy.
The webinar not only discussed the global context but also stressed the importance of early national engagement, highlighting that increasing awareness and technical knowledge are essential steps for effective involvement in BBNJ processes.
The role of area-based management tools, including Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), was also presented as a key element of the Agreement, with relevance for biodiversity conservation and sustainable ocean use.
As an introductory session, the webinar focused on building a shared baseline of knowledge rather than generating policy positions. It provided participants with the information needed to better understand the scope of the Agreement and its potential implications for Ghana.
This engagement forms part of HATOF’s broader effort to support informed and coordinated discussions on ocean governance. The organization will continue to facilitate knowledge-sharing and stakeholder engagement on BBNJ and related issues.
Watch the full webinar here:
HATOF Foundation’s Webinar on the BBNJ
