Cooperation and coordination in ocean governance: An overview of the BBNJ process and the involvement of the Netherlands

For almost two decades now, the international community has been involved in various meetings on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ), often referred to as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) process. Triggered by the recognition of the interconnectedness between the components of the oceans, as well as the necessity for a strengthened cooperative and coordinated approach to their management in ABNJ, the BBNJ process has since evolved into formal multilateral negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations. Since September 2018, an Intergovernmental Conference is negotiating the text of an internationally legally binding instrument for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction. Delegations from more than 100 States have actively taken part in the negotiations and voiced their suggestions and priorities. Among those voices, the Netherlands has, since the beginning of the BBNJ process, been an important actor in bringing forward the necessity of cooperation and coordination for the conservation and sustainable use of BBNJ. After drawing a historical overview of the BBNJ process and exploring how the Agreement could improve coordination and cooperation in ABNJ, this chapter discusses the Netherlands’ position and involvement in the development of the new Agreement.