A Regional Capacity Building Workshop on the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement was held on 27-28 August 2024 in Chennai, India. Organized by the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO) in collaboration with the High Seas Alliance (HSA) and RISE UP, the workshop addressed the landmark international legally binding instrument adopted under UNCLOS in June 2023.

The workshop aimed to support governments and partners in sustaining momentum for the signing, ratification, and early entry into force of the BBNJ Agreement. It focused on building understanding of the Agreement's provisions on marine genetic resources, area-based management tools, environmental impact assessments, and capacity-building.

IORA's participation in this technical workshop was crucial. It allowed the association to stay abreast of this critical development in international ocean governance that directly impacts the Indian Ocean's high seas. This engagement ensures that IORA can effectively encourage its Member States in the signing, ratification and implementation process, aligning regional maritime conservation efforts with this new global framework for protecting marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.