What actions must a country take to become a Party to the BBNJ Treaty?
A country must take the following steps to become a Party to the BBNJ Treaty:
- Sign the BBNJ Treaty at the UN Headquarters from 20 September 2023 through 20 September 2025;
- Ratifiy (or approve, accept, or accede to) the BBNJ Treaty (if after the BBNJ Treaty is closed for signature); and
- Deposit the ratified (or approved, accepted, or acceded to) Treaty with the UN Secretary-General.
Ref. BBNJ Treaty, Art. 65 and 75.
Can entities other than countries become Parties to the BBNJ Treaty? Are there certain requirements that apply only to such entities?
The BBNJ Treaty allows regional economic integration organizations to become a Party by following the three steps required of countries discussed above. However, such Party, in its ratification, approval, acceptance or accessions, must declare the extent of its competence in respect of the matters governed by the BBNJ Treaty. The regional economic integration organization Party must inform the UN Secretary-General regarding any relevant modification of the extent of its competence. In turn, the UN Secretary-General must provide all Parties of such information.
Ref. BBNJ Treaty, Art. 65, 66, and 67.
Do Parties have certain standards to fulfill their obligations?
Yes. Parties must fulfill their BBNJ Treaty obligations in good faith and exercise the rights recognized in the Treaty in a manner that would not constitute an abuse of rights.
Ref. BBNJ Treaty Art. 63
Where can I obtain information about the status of countries/regional economic integration organizations that have signed and ratified (or approved, accepted, or acceded to) the Treaty?
The list is available on the United Nations Treaty Collection website.