Republic of the Marshall Islands Participates in Historic First BBNJ Preparatory Commission Session
New York, NY – The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) proudly participated in the inaugural session of the Preparatory Commission for the Entry into Force of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), held at the United Nations Headquarters.
Leading the RMI delegation was His Excellency Ambassador John M. Silk, joined by alternate delegate RMI Deputy Attorney General Johnathen Kawakami, Dr. Filimon M. Manoni of the Office of the Pacific Oceans Commissioner (OPOC), MIMRA Legal Counsel Laurence E. Edwards II, and First Secretary Tony Shu from the RMI Mission.
This landmark session—BBNJ PrepCom1—marks the first formal step by UN Member States toward operationalizing the BBNJ Agreement. Discussions focused on key organizational and procedural elements, including:
1. Rules of procedure for the Conference of the Parties
2. Terms of reference and modalities for subsidiary bodies
3. Selection process for scientific and technical experts
4. Secretariat arrangements and seat
5. Operation of the Clearing-House Mechanism
6. Financial rules for the Conference of the Parties and its bodies
7. Funding arrangements with the Global Environment Facility
8. Preparatory dialogue for future cooperation, reporting, and financial mechanisms
As a member of the Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS), the RMI underscored its priorities in the formation of key subsidiary bodies such as the Access and Benefit-Sharing Committee, the Implementation and Compliance Committee, the Capacity-Building and Marine Technology Transfer Committee, and the Finance Committee.
The RMI delegation reaffirmed its commitment to promoting sustainable ocean governance, protecting marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdictions, and supporting robust international cooperation.