SUVA, Fiji—On January 28-30, 2026, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) was represented by Assistant Secretary Josephine Joseph Silem of the FSM Department of Justice at the Pacific Islands Regional Legal Workshop on the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), hosted by the Office of the Ocean Commissioner at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.
The workshop follows the historic adoption of the BBNJ Agreement in June 2023 and its entry into force on January 17, 2026, marking a significant milestone in international ocean governance under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). As the first country to sign the BBNJ Agreement, FSM continues to play an active role in preparatory processes, including engagement in discussions leading toward the inaugural Conference of Parties (COP1).
The regional legal workshop provided a platform for Pacific Island countries to exchange views and share experiences on pathways toward ratification and domestication of the Agreement. Discussions focused on identifying legal, legislative, and policy considerations relevant to implementation at the national level, as well as challenges associated with in-country application of this global instrument.
Participants underscored the importance of a coordinated regional approach to support Members at varying stages of implementation, while ensuring that conservation and sustainable use objectives remain central to activities in the areas beyond national jurisdiction. In this context, Members highlighted the need for implementation approaches in the Agreement that give due regard to the special circumstances of small island developing states and use of Traditional Knowledge of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs).
For the FSM and wider Pacific, effective implementation of the BBNJ Agreement is critical to safeguarding ocean health, as the foundation of our livelihood, cultural identity, and resilience. FSM reaffirmed its commitment to continued regional engagement and constructive participation in global efforts to protect and preserve ocean health. (pc: Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner)
