Delegates are meeting in New York for the third BBNJ treaty session, discussing secretariat hosting bids from Belgium, Chile, and newly proposed China, as 145 countries have signed the treaty.
BBNJ Treaty Session in New York
Delegates have gathered in New York for the third session of the preparatory commission regarding the Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), also known as the High Seas Treaty. This treaty, adopted in June 2023, mandates the establishment of a secretariat to oversee its implementation, with Belgium, Chile, and China vying for the hosting rights.
After nearly two decades of negotiations, the BBNJ treaty was adopted, witnessing 67 signatures upon its opening in September 2023. By January 2026, Morocco and Sierra Leone became the 60th and 61st nations to ratify the treaty, triggering its entry into force. As of now, 145 countries have signed, and 85 have ratified the treaty, solidifying its status as international law.
The preparatory commission must now address critical operational questions, particularly regarding the secretariat’s location. The hosting choice impacts diplomatic dynamics and influences which nations can effectively engage with the treaty, shaping its future trajectory.
Source : What does China’s host bid mean for the High Seas Treaty? – Thailand China Business News