This assignment supports the European Commission’s efforts to advance the ratification and early implementation of the High Seas Treaty (BBNJ Agreement) following its entry into force in January 2026. Delivered as a Specific Contract, under the Single Framework Contract for the provision of technical, legal, scientific and logistical support for the ratification and early implementation of the High Seas Treaty (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement), the aim of the study is to compare and analyse prospective, and existing/candidate ABMTs for future proposals, including MPAs, and other effective conservation measures (OECMs) in ABNJ, in view of informing the EU in the early implementation of the BBNJ Agreement.
To fulfil this aim, the following objectives have been defined:
- Analyse the main prospective, existing/candidate ABMTs for the possible development of proposals.
- Review identified possible ABMTs including their regional and governance contexts.
- Inform the EU through key considerations in the early implementation of the BBNJ.
Francis, Tom and Margaux will lead the deliver of this assignment, in collaboration with ICF, IUCN and Landell Mills to deliver a consolidated scientific, legal and geopolitical assessment to support strategic EU engagement on high seas ABMT proposals under the BBNJ Agreement. Specifically, the assignment will seek to provide:
- Comprehensive inventory and mapping of existing and emerging ABMT proposals in ABNJ, including ecological coherence and spatial analysis
- Assessment of proposals against BBNJ Annex I criteria, drawing lessons to inform a model, high-quality ABMT proposal
- Governance and geopolitical analysis of selected proposals, examining institutional feasibility, political dynamics and strategic considerations
- Validation workshop and expert consultation, consolidating technical and policy feedback
- Targeted recommendations identifying priority ABMT proposals that the EU could support, champion or jointly advance
Overall, the work will provide a strategic evidence base to guide EU positioning and decision-making on the development and adoption of high seas protected areas under the BBNJ Agreement.
