UNITED NATIONS — As the world negotiates the future of life in the oceans beyond national borders, small island developing states are making their voices heard. At the second session of the Preparatory Commission for the Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, held at UN Headquarters from Aug. 18–29, Pacific Island nations, led by Palau, emphasized that equitable representation and funding are essential to ensure the treaty serves those most dependent on the oceans.
The BBNJ Agreement, a landmark treaty under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, aims to conserve and sustainably use marine biological diversity in international waters. Its Scientific and Technical Body will play a central role, guiding decisions that could shape ocean governance for decades. For small island nations, whose livelihoods, food security, and cultures are closely tied to the sea, the stakes are high.
Palau’s delegate, speaking for the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) and serving as its current chair, called for a dedicated seat on the Scientific and Technical Body for small island developing states. “It is really unacceptable for those States not to have direct representation on this Body,” she said. She emphasized that the treaty’s provisions recognizing the special circumstances of small island and least developed countries provide a legal foundation.
Caribbean and African small island representatives echoed these concerns. Trinidad and Tobago, representing CARICOM, proposed a 27-member body with reserved seats for small island developing states and Indigenous representatives. The Seychelles, for the African Group, stressed that members should serve in their personal capacity and be selected based on competence, with dedicated seats for least developed countries.
Pacific voices, including the Federated States of Micronesia, highlighted the need for flexibility in eligibility criteria. He expressed support for having one member from small island developing states and one from least developed countries — “and limiting it to that, because when a lot of big countries have an interest, then we tend to lose out.”
Beyond representation, small island states are focused on financing mechanisms that will enable full participation in the treaty’s governance. The Preparatory Commission considered operationalizing the treaty’s voluntary trust fund and special fund.
Palau’s delegate highlighted the need to include language ensuring equitable geographical representation and participation for developing State Parties, as well as representatives of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. Another “missing principle”, he said, is observer engagement in the operationalization process, especially for those entities that are from developing countries. He welcomed intersessional work suggested in the Co-Chairs’ document, including the proposed technical working group, adding that “we would need to ensure that there is substantial and dedicated representation of smaller developing States’ technical experts” in that group.
Antigua and Barbuda, speaking for CARICOM, emphasized that the members of CARICOM, along with other developing countries, “regard the special fund as the main arm of the [Agreement’s] financial mechanism.”
The Preparatory Commission will reconvene on Aug. 27 to review a refreshed draft of the Conference of the Parties’ rules of procedure, as work continues toward operationalizing the treaty that Pacific island nations, including Palau, have long championed.
Source: Preparatory Commission for the Entry into Force of the BBNJ Agreement, UN Headquarters, August 2025 session report.