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Korea-led BBNJ Agreement Global Cooperation Project Selected for the UN Ocean Decade Program for the First Time
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2026.07.30.
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Korea-led BBNJ Agreement Global Cooperation Project
Selected for the UN Ocean Decade Program for the First Time
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF; Minister Hwang Jong-woo) announced on June 22 that a global cooperative program led by South Korea to implement the BBNJ* has been selected as an official program under the UN Ocean Decade** (2021–2030) for the first time.
* BBNJ (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction): 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
** Official name: United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030)
The UN Ocean Decade is a UN-led global initiative adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2017. Under the vision "The Science We Need for the Ocean We Want," it promotes international scientific cooperation and action to address ocean-related challenges.
Until now, the UN Ocean Decade had been largely driven by the US, UK, China, and other Western countries*. While Korea had participated in some projects and activities, this marks the first time that a Korean-led initiative has been officially selected at the Program level** as the highest tier.
* Program operation by country: US (13), China (10), UK (9), France (7), Italy (5), Germany (3), etc.
** UN Ocean Decade structure hierarchy: Program > Project > Activity > Contribution
Titled "Global Ocean Science-Policy Capacity-Building Program for BBNJ Implementation,” the newly selected program aims to support the proactive implementation of the BBNJ—which entered into force in January of this year—and to foster cooperation with developing countries. Its planned activities include: △ Training aboard large research vessels; △ Training on the collection and analysis of marine genetic resources; △ Marine scientific data processing, analysis, and interpretation; and △ Nurturing international talent in marine science.
MOF plans to consult closely with financial authorities to ensure the successful implementation of the newly selected Global Cooperative Program for BBNJ.
“The selection for this program will be an important opportunity for Korea to play a leading role in the new international maritime order known as the BBNJ Agreement and in the field of marine science. We will continue to take the lead in the seamless implementation of the BBNJ Agreement and the realization of a sustainable marine ecosystem through science, together with the international community,” said Seo Jeong-ho, Deputy Minister of the Marine Policy Office at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries
Overview of the UN Ocean Science Decade
o Official name: United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030)
o Host/Organizer: UN/UNESCO IOC (Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission)
o Vision: The Science We Need for the Ocean We Want
o Goal: To go beyond research and create marine science solutions applicable to policymaking and marine management
o Nature: An official UN framework that enables marine scientists and stakeholders to develop scientific knowledge and collaborate to achieve the SDGs
o Unit of composition: program, project, activity, and contribution
o Program (Project) participation and operation: Recruitment twice a year and possible recruitment of additional projects for the program, activities carried out using the participants' own budgets, possible financial support from IOC's partner foundations, sharing and reporting of results, etc.
□ Status of the UN Ocean Decade (2021-2025)
o Quantitative growth: A total of 56 global programs and 446 regional/national projects were approved as of 2024, with a global network of over 20,000 experts in operation
o Data innovation: Integrating over 8,700 observation platforms (GOOS) from 83 countries worldwide and more than 180 million biological data records (OBIS) to provide real-time data
Current Status Following Entry into Force
o (Signature) September 2023 Following the opening for signature, 145 countries* including Korea have signed the agreement.
* Korea signed it on October 31, 2023 as the 83rd signing country / Signed by numerous major countries including China, US, UK, Australia, Germany, and France
o (Ratification) Ratified by 89 countries including Korea, Japan, China, France, Spain, and Chile
o (Entry into Force) Entered into force on January 17, 2026
* 120th day after the 60th ratification of the Agreement (Morocco, September 19, 2025)
□ Key Points of the Agreement
o (Marine Genetic Resources) Seeking the sharing of marine genetic resources collected from the open sea and deep seabed and generated digital information*, and fair sharing of profit from commercial use
* Digital Sequence Information (DSI) on marine genetic resources
- Establishment of an information-sharing system among parties regarding genetic and benefit-sharing system, etc.
o (Area-Based Management Measures) Designating area-based management measures—including marine protected areas—on the high seas, etc. and deciding on their implementation, maintenance, and withdrawal by the Conference of the Parties. Parties shall propose protected areas and related measures in consultation with the relevant stakeholders, including civil society.
Selected for the UN Ocean Decade Program for the First Time
- First Korea-led program selected for the UN Ocean Decade
- Strengthening international standing in marine science as the host country of the 4th UN Oceans Conference in 2028
- Strengthening international standing in marine science as the host country of the 4th UN Oceans Conference in 2028
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF; Minister Hwang Jong-woo) announced on June 22 that a global cooperative program led by South Korea to implement the BBNJ* has been selected as an official program under the UN Ocean Decade** (2021–2030) for the first time.
* BBNJ (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction): 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
** Official name: United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030)
The UN Ocean Decade is a UN-led global initiative adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2017. Under the vision "The Science We Need for the Ocean We Want," it promotes international scientific cooperation and action to address ocean-related challenges.
Until now, the UN Ocean Decade had been largely driven by the US, UK, China, and other Western countries*. While Korea had participated in some projects and activities, this marks the first time that a Korean-led initiative has been officially selected at the Program level** as the highest tier.
* Program operation by country: US (13), China (10), UK (9), France (7), Italy (5), Germany (3), etc.
** UN Ocean Decade structure hierarchy: Program > Project > Activity > Contribution
Titled "Global Ocean Science-Policy Capacity-Building Program for BBNJ Implementation,” the newly selected program aims to support the proactive implementation of the BBNJ—which entered into force in January of this year—and to foster cooperation with developing countries. Its planned activities include: △ Training aboard large research vessels; △ Training on the collection and analysis of marine genetic resources; △ Marine scientific data processing, analysis, and interpretation; and △ Nurturing international talent in marine science.
MOF plans to consult closely with financial authorities to ensure the successful implementation of the newly selected Global Cooperative Program for BBNJ.
“The selection for this program will be an important opportunity for Korea to play a leading role in the new international maritime order known as the BBNJ Agreement and in the field of marine science. We will continue to take the lead in the seamless implementation of the BBNJ Agreement and the realization of a sustainable marine ecosystem through science, together with the international community,” said Seo Jeong-ho, Deputy Minister of the Marine Policy Office at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries
Overview of the UN Ocean Science Decade
o Official name: United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030)
o Host/Organizer: UN/UNESCO IOC (Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission)
o Vision: The Science We Need for the Ocean We Want
o Goal: To go beyond research and create marine science solutions applicable to policymaking and marine management
o Nature: An official UN framework that enables marine scientists and stakeholders to develop scientific knowledge and collaborate to achieve the SDGs
o Unit of composition: program, project, activity, and contribution
o Program (Project) participation and operation: Recruitment twice a year and possible recruitment of additional projects for the program, activities carried out using the participants' own budgets, possible financial support from IOC's partner foundations, sharing and reporting of results, etc.
□ Status of the UN Ocean Decade (2021-2025)
o Quantitative growth: A total of 56 global programs and 446 regional/national projects were approved as of 2024, with a global network of over 20,000 experts in operation
o Data innovation: Integrating over 8,700 observation platforms (GOOS) from 83 countries worldwide and more than 180 million biological data records (OBIS) to provide real-time data
Current Status Following Entry into Force
o (Signature) September 2023 Following the opening for signature, 145 countries* including Korea have signed the agreement.
* Korea signed it on October 31, 2023 as the 83rd signing country / Signed by numerous major countries including China, US, UK, Australia, Germany, and France
o (Ratification) Ratified by 89 countries including Korea, Japan, China, France, Spain, and Chile
o (Entry into Force) Entered into force on January 17, 2026
* 120th day after the 60th ratification of the Agreement (Morocco, September 19, 2025)
□ Key Points of the Agreement
o (Marine Genetic Resources) Seeking the sharing of marine genetic resources collected from the open sea and deep seabed and generated digital information*, and fair sharing of profit from commercial use
* Digital Sequence Information (DSI) on marine genetic resources
- Establishment of an information-sharing system among parties regarding genetic and benefit-sharing system, etc.
o (Area-Based Management Measures) Designating area-based management measures—including marine protected areas—on the high seas, etc. and deciding on their implementation, maintenance, and withdrawal by the Conference of the Parties. Parties shall propose protected areas and related measures in consultation with the relevant stakeholders, including civil society.
- Parties shall conduct assessments of potential impacts on the marine environment for activities that may affect the high seas and the deep seabed.
- Subsequent measures include sharing assessment results, publishing monitoring reports, and monitoring impacts.
- Priority given to the interests and needs of developing countries
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