The Agreement on Biodiversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction – Caribbean Community perspectives on interests, asks and outcomes

Abstract

After a period of protracted negotiations, 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) was finally adopted. The Caribbean Community (CARICOM), whose membership is made up entirely of small island developing States (SIDS), emerged as an active regional group participating in the negotiating process. In this paper the group’s interests and aspirations in the negotiations are examined and weighed against the final outcomes of the Agreement. These insights feed into recommendations for CARICOM member States moving forward as it relates to signing, ratifying and implementing the BBNJ Agreement.