Togo: Hosts Workshops for BBNJ Agreement First COP Preparation

• Togo is holding workshops from August 20-27, 2026, in Lomé to prepare its national position for the first BBNJ Agreement COP.
• The workshops, organized by the High Council for the Sea with IUCN support, aim to deepen understanding of the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction.
• The BBNJ Agreement entered into force on January 17, 2026, covering marine genetic resources, area-based management, environmental impact assessments, capacity-building, and technology transfer.
• Togo signed the agreement in September 2023, and its National Assembly adopted it on first reading on June 30, 2026, as part of its ratification process.
• The first BBNJ Agreement COP is scheduled for January 2027 at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

The BBNJ Agreement officially entered into force on January 17, 2026, following the attainment of the requisite number of ratifications from signatory nations.

Togo is actively engaged in the Togo BBNJ Agreement first COP preparation, hosting a series of intensive workshops in Lomé from August 20 to 27, 2026. These sessions are designed to bring together a diverse array of stakeholders, including key public agencies, technical departments, coastal authorities, civil society groups, and media representatives. The primary objective is to deepen participants' understanding of the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, commonly known as the BBNJ Agreement.

The workshops serve a critical role in formulating Togo's national position ahead of the inaugural Conference of the Parties (COP) to the BBNJ Agreement. This significant international gathering is scheduled for January 2027 at the United Nations headquarters in New York. The comprehensive discussions aim to ensure that Togo's voice is well-informed and strategically aligned with its national interests and global conservation goals at this pivotal high seas biodiversity conference.

These preparatory meetings are orchestrated by the Togo High Council for the Sea (HCM), receiving vital support from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Funding for these crucial initiatives is provided through the European Union-funded West Africa Sustainable Ocean Programme 3 (WASOP3), underscoring the collaborative international effort behind Togo's engagement with this landmark treaty.

The BBNJ Agreement officially entered into force on January 17, 2026, following the attainment of the requisite number of ratifications from signatory nations. This global accord establishes a comprehensive legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. Its provisions are far-reaching, encompassing critical aspects such as marine genetic resources and the equitable sharing of benefits derived from them, the establishment of area-based management tools, and the implementation of robust environmental impact assessments.

Furthermore, the Agreement addresses the vital components of capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology, aiming to empower all nations, particularly developing states, to participate effectively in high seas governance. Togo's commitment to this framework is evident in its ongoing BBNJ Agreement Togo ratification process. The nation initially signed the treaty in September 2023, signaling its early support for the international instrument.

Progress on the domestic front has been steady, with the agreement successfully clearing an initial legislative hurdle. Togo's National Assembly adopted the text on its first reading on June 30, 2026, moving the country closer to full ratification and formal integration of the treaty's principles into its national legal and policy landscape.

The BBNJ Agreement holds significant implications for Togo, extending beyond conventional environmental protection. For a nation with a vital maritime sector, the treaty's provisions on marine genetic resources Togo, environmental impact assessments, and area-based management tools will shape future activities and resource governance in the high seas. The upcoming first COP in January 2027 will be instrumental in defining the operational mechanisms and guidelines for implementing these critical aspects of the agreement.

The engagement of various national entities, including the ministry responsible for the maritime sector, highlights the multifaceted impact of the BBNJ Agreement on Togo's strategic interests. The workshops in Lomé are not merely about understanding a treaty; they are about positioning Togo to effectively leverage the agreement for sustainable development and the long-term health of its marine environment and associated industries. The outcomes of the first COP will set precedents and establish norms that will influence global ocean governance for decades to come, making Togo's active participation crucial.

Lawyers and compliance officers should monitor the outcomes of the first BBNJ COP and subsequent Togolese legislative developments to understand new compliance obligations for marine activities, particularly concerning environmental impact assessments, marine genetic resources, and area-based management tools.

Source: Original reporting via {source}