BBNJ Treaty

SC 30th Anniversary Series 1, 7 January 2026

30 Years supporting advancing multilateral rules for the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilization of biological diversity

By Dr. Viviana Munoz Tellez

South Centre 30th Anniversary Series No. 1, 7 January 2026

Countries are bound through international agreements to advance biodiversity conservation, including by maintaining genetic diversity, to ensure sustainable use of biodiversity and advance both access and fair and equitable sharing of benefits from the utilization of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge. These obligations are also reasserted in the United Nations (UN) agreed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

There are several international agreements in which these issues are addressed, including the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA Treaty), the Agreement under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), as well as fora where these issues are debated or negotiated, such as those conducted under the auspices of the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The South Centre has provided constant support over the years to developing countries in advancing their common interests in this field and ensuring coherence and synergies among the different conventions and negotiations.

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SC Report on BBNJ PrepCom II, October 2025

The BBNJ Will Enter into Force in January 2026: Summary of PrepCom II Outcome

 By Ningxiner Li

The BBNJ Agreement enters into force on January 2026. Read the PrepCom II outcomes on developing country priorities: equitable governance, a demand-driven Clearing-House Mechanism (CHM), and accessible funding. There is critical work ahead before PrepCom III (March 23-April 2, 2026) and COP1.

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SouthViews No. 276, 29 October 2024

Can international law promote innovation from genetic resources and benefit sharing while recognizing the rights of traditional knowledge holders?

By Henry de Novion

Indigenous peoples and local communities have been innovating for millennia and contributing to the development of new products and processes. For international law to promote innovation, it is indispensable to promote indigenous peoples and local communities’ rights to prior informed consent, to benefit sharing, and to guaranteeing their territories, culture, and existence.

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Statements on IPRs of BBNJ, April 2024

Statements on Understanding on Intellectual Property Rights at time of Signature or Ratification of the BBNJ Treaty

South Centre

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) negotiations did not fully address issues of intellectual property rights (IPRs), but countries can make statements on IPRs at the time of signature and/or on ratification of the BBNJ. Read our recommendations:

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