Navigating the RFMO-BBNJ Interface – Dialogue on Cooperation & Coherence

Economic and Social Committee |  2 June 2026 |  09:00-17:30 – Lunch included

Background:

The entry into force of the BBNJ Agreement marks a new phase in ocean governance and raises important questions about its interaction with existing international frameworks and bodies (IFBs), including RFMOs. As discussions progressed through PrepCom III and ahead of COP1, there is growing recognition that early dialogue is essential to identify opportunities for cooperation and anticipate potential challenges in implementation, highlighting the need for practical exchange and shared understanding at this stage.

RFMOs have long-established mandates, scientific processes, and monitoring in areas beyond national jurisdiction. Whilst the BBNJ Agreement recognises the importance of cooperation and complementarity with them, practical questions remain regarding how interaction between the BBNJ and RFMOs may evolve around consultation, data-sharing, environmental impact assessments and area-based measures.

This event provides a platform for dialogue among RFMOs, the European Commission, the European Parliament, Member States, UN bodies, and the fisheries sector at a key moment between PrepCom III and COP1. By bringing together fisheries and environment communities, the event seeks to build trust and address how early cooperation can contribute to coherence and create opportunities across ocean governance frameworks, facilitating successful implementation.

Objectives

• Encourage informal exchange and provide a platform for dialogue on how RFMOs can/should interact with various elements of the BBNJ Agreement.
• Explore opportunities and challenges for cooperation between fisheries governance bodies, UN institutions, Member States and the BBNJ.
• Strengthen shared understanding between fisheries and environment communities on where and how RFMOs may interface with the BBNJ Agreement.
• Provide an opportunity for RFMOs to showcase existing contributions that will support the objectives of the BBNJ Agreement.
• Contribute to negotiations following PrepCom III and ahead of COP1 building on the discussions on cooperation with IFBs.

Expected Outcomes

• A concise post-event press release capturing key insights, identified synergies and emerging challenges for cooperation.
• Increased visibility of existing RFMO measures and contributions that are relevant to broader BBNJ objectives.
• Stronger informal networks and channels for exchange across fisheries, environment and multilateral communities to support ongoing dialogue.

Agenda

09:00 – 09:45: Opening remarks:

• Javier Garat, Member of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)
• Despina Symons, Director, European Bureau for Conservation and Development
  (EBCD)
• Costas Kadis, European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans
• MEP Carmen Crespo Díaz, Chair, Committee on Fisheries (PECH), European Parliament

09:45 – 10:30: Keynote interventions and Q&A session with the audience:

• Charlotte Salpin, Senior Legal Officer, Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS), United Nations Secretariat
• Vera Agostini, Deputy Director, Fisheries and Aquaculture Division (NFI), Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO)

10:30 – 11:00: Coffee break

11:00 – 12:15: Session #1: (moderated by Mark Dickey Collas, Chair, IUCN-CEM Fisheries Expert Group)
‘Biodiversity outcomes being delivered by RFMOs in areas beyond national jurisdiction – how can these be better recognised by the BBNJ processes?’

• Keynote intervention: Francisco Millán Mon, MEP EPP
• Darius Campbell, Coordinator, Regional Fisheries Bodies Secretariats Network
  (RSN) & Executive Secretary, North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC)
• Paul de Bruyn, Executive Secretary, Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) (online)
• Brittany Croll, Officer for Ocean Governance, The Pew Charitable Trusts

12:15 – 13:30: Session #2: (moderated by Sophie Mirgaux, Special Envoy for the Ocean, Belgium) ‘Supporting effective cooperation between RFMOs and the BBNJ, including within public authorities

•  Keynote intervention: Sophie Mirgaux, Special Envoy for the Ocean, Belgium
• Miguel Bernal, Executive Secretary, General Fisheries Commission of the Mediterranean (GFCM) (video message)
• Camille Manel, Executive Secretary, International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT)
• Abdennaji Laamrich, Head of Cooperation & Information Systems, Conférence Ministérielle sur la Coopération Halieutique entre les Etats Africains Riverains de l’Océan Atlantique (COMHAFAT) (online)
• Marco Valletta, Deputy Head of Unit, MARE B.2 Regional Fisheries Management Organisations, European Commission

13:30 – 14:30: Lunch break

14:30 – 15:45: Session #3 (moderated by Michal Wiezik, Member of the European Parliament, Renew Europe Group) ‘Data, science and technical expertise – sharing it between RFMOs and the BBNJ’

• Aaron Nighswander, Finance and Administration Manager, Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC)
• Neil Holdsworth, Head of Data and Information, International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) (online)
• Mark Dickey-Collas, Chair, IUCN-CEM-Fisheries Expert Group
• Guillermo Ortuño Crespo, Co-lead, IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) High Seas Specialist Group (online)

15:45 – 16:05: Coffee break

16:05 – 17:20: Session #4: (moderated by Mark Dickey-Collas, Chair, IUCN-CEM Fisheries Expert Group)
‘Strengthening trust for shared understanding and effective cooperation’

• Elsa Tudal, Director of European and International Affairs, Directorate General for Maritime Affairs, Fisheries and Aquaculture, France
• Laura Sánchez Hernández, Deputy Director of Legal Affairs and International Governance, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Spain
• Lucie Debaere, Policy Advisor for Marine Environmental Policy, Ministry of Environment, Belgium
• Joseph Appiott, Coordinator for Marine, Coastal and Island Biodiversity, Secretariat of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) (online)
• Ivan Lopez, President, International Coalition of Fisheries Associations (ICFA)

17:20: Closing remarks

• Dr. Mark Dickey-Collas, Chair, IUCN-CEM-Fisheries Expert Group (FEG)

Click here for the Concept Note.

This event is on personal invitation only.