2025 BBNJ Symposium Report

The BBNJ Symposium 2025 featured a comprehensive agenda over two days, beginning with a welcome address and a keynote speech, and including six panel discussions that addressed the BBNJ Agreement’s ratification, implementation, and broader implications for ocean governance. Alongside these panels, the symposium included a fireside chat with the BBNJ Preparatory Commission co-chairs and a research roundtable that discussed the role and management of science and diverse knowledge systems as the treaty moves towards entry into force. The symposium was designed to foster progress towards the Agreement's early entry into force by engaging a diverse range of perspectives from government, civil society, and theresearch community, particularly drawing insights from the Asia-Pacific region. Discussions also previewed the ongoing and future work of the BBNJ Preparatory Commission. The following sections of this report capture key take-away messages from eachsession of the Symposium, based on the minutes taken by the Symposium rapporteurs.