policy brief: Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction

“The latest draft negotiating text for a new international legally binding instrument on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) includes notable improvements on “inclusive, equitable and effective participation” and “country- driven, transparent, effective, and iterative process” in relation to capacity building and technology transfer (CBTT). This policy brief provides the views of marine and social scientists, and legal experts on the need for creating pre-conditions for mutual learning and ocean knowledge codevelopment between countries in the Global North and the Global South, in order to ensure the effectiveness of a future BBNJ Agreement. This in turn requires understanding of the current inequities in ocean science, and can build on solutions that have been identified and piloted in recent international scientific collaborations. All comments refer to the latest revised draft text of the BBNJ Agreement prepared by the President of the Intergovernmental Conference in July 2022…”