Focal points for formal communications under the BBNJ Agreement
The Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea of the Office of Legal Affairs of the United Nations, in carrying out the secretariat functions under 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 (the BBNJ Agreement) until such time as the secretariat established thereunder commences its functions, has the honour of referring to the entry into force of the BBNJ Agreement on 17 January 2026.
In this regard, Parties to the BBNJ Agreement are invited to inform the Division of a focal point to act as liaison with the Division, acting as secretariat under the BBNJ Agreement, on behalf of the respective Party. The primary function of the focal points, on an interim basis and pending any further determination by the Conference of the Parties, will be to send and receive the notifications and communications to be made under the Agreement, as applicable, and receive and disseminate information related to the implementation of the Agreement at the national level.
Permanent Missions and Permanent Observer Missions to the United Nations of States and regional economic integration organizations that are Parties to the BBNJ Agreement will continue to be informed of the communications from the Division, acting as the secretariat of the BBNJ Agreement, addressed to Parties to the Agreement.
Until such time as the clearing-house mechanism established under the Agreement is operational, notifications and information submitted pursuant to the relevant provisions of the BBNJ Agreement are to be sent to the Division at doalos@un.org, which will circulate such notifications and information, as appropriate, and make them available on the website of the Agreement.
Parties are kindly invited to inform the Division of their focal point(s) through a note verbale transmitted by their respective Permanent Missions to the United Nations in New York, indicating the designated focal point(s). Designated focal points are further requested to complete the online form, accessible at , to provide contact details. The note verbale is to be submitted, and the online form completed, by 16 March 2026. Parties are also kindly requested to inform the Division, in the same manner, of any subsequent changes to the designated focal point.
Should more than one focal point be designated by a Party, all such focal points should be indicated in the note verbale and each should complete the online form. The list of designated focal points will be made available on the website of the Agreement.
Any queries related to this matter can be addressed to the Division by e-mail to doalos@un.org, with a copy to Ariana Sarah Harnden Moser-Braus (ariana.moser-braus@un.org).