Tiếng Việt 
After nearly two decades of negotiations, the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) officially entered into force on 17 January 2026. This marks the third implementing agreement of UNCLOS, establishing the management mechanism for the management, protection of the high seas. It represents a significant milestone and reflects the strong commitment of the international community for conservation and protection of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
The Agreement addresses four main issues:
+ Marine genetic resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits: This pillar addresses the exploration and utilization of marine genetic resources in areas beyond national jurisdiction. The Agreement establishes mechanisms to ensure that benefits derived from these resources are shared in a fair and equitable manner among States.
+ Measures such as area-based management tools, including marine protected areas: These are spatial management measures applied to specific areas beyond national jurisdiction. MPAs are key instruments for conserving ecosystems and marine species.
+ Environmental impact assessments: This regulation requires States to assess the potential environmental impacts of planned activities that may have effects on the marine environment.
+ Capacity-building and information-sharing network of marine technology: This component supports developing States in implementing the Agreement, promoting capacity development and technology transfer to ensure inclusive and effective participation of all Parties.
As of July 2026, more than 80 countries have ratified the Agreement, including major maritime nations such as China, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Brazil. Viet Nam completed its ratification in June 2025. Throughout 2026, key meetings of the Preparatory Commission and regional workshops in the Asia–Pacific are being convened to prepare for the first Conference of the Parties (COP1), expected to take place before 17 January 2027 (anticipated in the latter half of 2026).
As a Member of UNCLOS, Viet Nam stands to benefit significantly from the BBNJ Agreement. The Agreement provides opportunities to strengthen the country's capacity for the governance of ocean-based activities, advance marine scientific research, and enhance the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity. In particular, it enables Viet Nam to:
- access programmes on the transfer of marine technology, scientific data, and advanced marine research;
- strengthen national capacities for marine scientific research, biodiversity conservation, and marine resource management in line with international standards;
- contribute to the conservation and sustainable management of highly migratory fish stocks, including tuna, swordfish, and other species of economic importance; and
- enhance Viet Nam's profile and engagement in international cooperation on ocean governance and the sustainable blue economy.
In the context of increasing international cooperation on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity, the BBNJ Agreement represents an important milestone in global ocean governance. For Viet Nam, it provides an opportunity to deepen international cooperation, strengthen national capacity, and contribute to collective efforts to ensure the long-term conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction.