21/11/2025 (Agence Europe) – On Friday, 21 November, the European Commission adopted a proposal for a Council decision defining the European Union’s position during the final meeting of the Preparatory Commission (23 March–3 April 2026) and the first Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement. This agreement, which will come into force on 17 January 2026, aims to protect marine biodiversity in areas beyond national waters—covering almost two-thirds of the world’s oceans (see EUROPE 13751/12). The EU will support the adoption of rules of procedure that ensure the COP functions in an efficient, transparent, and fair way and that ensure the EU fully participates as a party to the agreement. The EU will also support a system that helps developing countries implement the agreement in accordance with Article 52 of the text, which provides for annual contributions from the parties. Link to the proposal: https://aeur.eu/f/jko (LC)