Multilateralism and the making of international law: Marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction

Seminar theme and overview

The theme of the Seminar engages with one of the most cutting-edge and monumental achievements in modern international law-making: the adoption at the United Nations (“UN”) on 19 June 2023 of an internationally binding agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (“BBNJ Agreement”). The adoption of this Agreement, which took 20 years in the making, is symbolic and historically significant. For the first time, States have sought to establish an international legal framework in areas outside their national jurisdiction, with the objective to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond their sovereignty, for the present and in the long term. Heralded by many States as a historical milestone and victory for multilateralism in the making of international law, the significance of the BBNJ Agreement has far-reaching implications.

The convenor is organizing an open call for abstracts which engage with the BBNJ Agreement from a multilateralism standpoint broadly within — but not limited to — three themes:

• first, the relationship between the BBNJ Agreement and other international treaties, relevant legal instruments and frameworks and relevant global, regional, subregional and sectoral bodies;
• secondly, the special circumstances of small island States and the recognition of traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples and local communities;
• thirdly, the general principles and approaches that guide States Parties to achieve the objectives of the BBNJ Agreement including the common heritage of humankind, the principle of equity and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits; and an integrated approach to Oceans governance.

Each author will be paired with a Discussant. The author will present their work in progress, which will be followed by comments by the Discussant. There will also be an opportunity for both author and discussant to engage in Q&A with other participants in the seminar.

Submission Guidelines

Please submit your abstract (max 400 words) to meagan.wong@essex.ac.uk by Sunday 13 October 2024 at 23:59 London time. The subject of your email should read ‘MLR Seminar Abstract – BBNJ’. Abstracts should ideally address one of the key themes mentioned above and reflect original research or innovative perspectives. Please include your name, affiliation, contact details and up-to-date CV in the email.

Publication Opportunity

After the seminar, authors will have the opportunity to submit their full-length papers to the Modern Law Review for peer review. Please note there is no guarantee of publication. For inquiries or further information, please contact the seminar convenor, Dr Meagan Wong (meagan.wong@essex.ac.uk).