Why the BBNJ Agreement Matters to Every Palauan

For small island but big ocean states (BOS) like Palau, where the ocean is not just a resource but a way of life, decisions made in United Nations conference rooms in New York carry real consequences for our people, our livelihoods, and our future.

Ratifying the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement is not just a legal step, but a reflection of who we are as a BOS. As the first country to ratify the Agreement, Palau demonstrated its commitment to ocean stewardship and to ensuring that biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction is managed and used sustainably. To date, 88 countries have ratified the Agreement, including 28 Small Island Developing States (SIDS). With SIDS at the forefront, there is a greater opportunity to shape how resources such as capacity building, technology transfer, and access to scientific data are governed, ensuring fair representation, access, and participation in marine research. This early action strengthens our voice globally and underscores why international negotiations shaping this Agreement matter so deeply to us at home.

At the third session of the Preparatory Commission (PrepCom 3) of the BBNJ Agreement, countries worked to develop the rules and institutional arrangements that will bring this landmark Agreement to life. Although the Agreement entered into force on January 17, 2026, this phase focused on operationalizing it, determining how decisions will be made, how benefits will be shared, and how countries will participate in its implementation.

For Palau, and for many SIDS, this is not a distant exercise. It is about ensuring that the global ocean, particularly areas beyond national jurisdiction, is governed in a way that reflects equity, sustainability, and shared responsibility, that takes into consideration the special circumstances of SIDS.

Why This Matters at Home

At first glance, the Agreement may seem far removed from daily life in Palau. In reality, what happens beyond national boundaries directly affects what happens within them because of the ocean’s connectivity. At the same time, the global ocean is under increasing pressure from climate change and human impacts, making shared responsibility and stewardship more important than ever.

Fish stocks move across borders. Ocean currents connect ecosystems across vast distances. Scientific discoveries made in international waters, from genetic resources to ecosystem data, influence food security, climate resilience, and conservation efforts at home.

For a local fisher, this means sustainable management of shared fish stocks so future generations can continue to rely on the ocean. For a student, it means access to knowledge and opportunities to engage in global science. For local scientists, it means equitable access to data and technologies often concentrated in developed countries. Without fair systems in place, the benefits of the ocean risk being captured by those with the greatest capacity, leaving small island nations behind.

The Power of Speaking as One

One of the clearest lessons from PrepCom 3 is that small states are stronger together. Palau, as part of the Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS) and  a member and current Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), contributes in these strong negotiating blocs advocating for equitable access, inclusive decision making, and meaningful participation.

This collective approach amplifies our influence. Together, we act as a unified voice, stewarding vast ocean spaces and bringing lived realities to the forefront of international decision making.

Through this unified voice, Palau helped advance key priorities for SIDS: fair representation in governance structures, access to financing that reflects our realities, and systems that ensure scientific knowledge, capacity building, and technology are shared rather than restricted.

Progress But Not Yet Complete

PrepCom 3 delivered progress, but key issues remain unresolved. Several elements moved forward, including funding arrangements, partnerships with global financing mechanisms, and continued development of a clearing house system to share ocean data. These are essential building blocks for implementation.

However, critical decisions on governance and financing remain under negotiation. Questions around representation, access to funds, and institutional arrangements will be decided at the first Conference of the Parties (COP1), scheduled for January 2027.

For Palau, and SIDS, these decisions are particularly important recognizing their unique vulnerabilities, including limited financial and technical capacity, geographic isolation, and a high dependence on ocean resources. Our economies, cultures, and food systems are deeply tied to the ocean, making equitable representation and access essential to ensuring that the Agreement works for all.

In simple terms, the recipe is coming together, but we are still deciding on the ingredients and how the dish will be prepared.

What Is at Stake for Palau

For Palau, the stakes are clear. We have long demonstrated leadership in ocean conservation, from the Palau National Marine Sanctuary to conservation practices grounded in traditional knowledge and community stewardship. Our economy, particularly tourism, depends on a healthy ocean. The Agreement provides an opportunity to extend these practices to the global stage.

But leadership alone is not enough. The systems being developed must reflect our needs and realities. This includes ensuring representation of SIDS in decision making bodies, securing access to financing, including concessional support with flexible payment arrangements, and guaranteeing that scientific data, marine genetic resources, and technology are shared equitably.

These are not technical details. They determine whether the Agreement delivers fairness or reinforces existing inequalities.

Palau’s Path Forward

As the international community prepares for COP1, Palau’s path forward is clear: national action must go hand in hand with global negotiation. Palau’s identity as a BOS underscores a simple but critical reality: our national interests do not end at our exclusive economic zone. What happens beyond our borders has direct, downstream impacts on our ecosystems, our fisheries, and the resources our communities depend on every day.

Palau’s early ratification demonstrates leadership, but broader participation is essential. Continued ratification and implementation by all Parties to the Agreement will be critical to ensuring it delivers on its promise.

Bottom line; the ocean connects us all. What is decided beyond our shores will shape what happens within them. For Palau, acting now is not optional. The choices we make today will define the ocean we leave for future generations.