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Negotiating the Ocean

Negotiating the Ocean

By: ANCORS
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Negotiating the Ocean, an Ocean Equity podcast by ANCORS, peeks below the surface of international ocean governance. We take you behind the scenes of global talks on biodiversity, fisheries and deep-sea mining and ask the big questions around equity and social justice. This podcast enables a more inclusive understanding for those who can’t attend international meetings and provides vital information for new diplomats, NGOs and ocean researchers. This is your audio guide to navigate these high seas negotiations, brought to you by the Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security.ANCORS Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • 4) Navigating the Voyage Ahead: Treaty Implementation

    4) Navigating the Voyage Ahead: Treaty Implementation
    Mar 16 2026

    Episode 4 covers practical considerations on how the Part on Marine Genetic Resources of the BBNJ Agreement can be implemented. Experts share experiences from ratification processes in their countries, considerations in relation to Intellectual Property Rights for the transfer of Marine Technology, an update on current discussions around the standardised batch identifier, ideas how to enhance interoperability of databases and systems, and the role of the Committees under the BBNJ agreement to deal with issues of Access and Benefit Sharing, as well as Capacity Building and the Transfer of Marine Technology.

    Guests

    • Fran Humphries is an Associate Professor at Griffith University, Australia, specialising in biodiversity law, law of the sea and intellectual property. She has led large projects on governance of genetic resources, digital sequence information and associated traditional knowledge for governments, NGOs and United Nations organisations. She was on the International Council of Environmental Law delegation during the BBNJ treaty intergovernmental conferences and preparatory commission meetings. She recently led an open access practical guide and commentary on the BBNJ Agreement's marine genetic resource obligations (see further ready below).
    • Abbe Brown is Professor of Intellectual Property Law at the University of Aberdeen, specializing in IP’s intersection with other legal fields to address societal challenges. She served as BILETA Chair (2021–2024) and NERC Senior Expert (2021–2023), and was elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (2025). With nearly 10 years in legal practice (London, Melbourne, Edinburgh), Abbe maintains strong professional and industry ties. She contributes to BBNJ negotiations with Chemistry colleagues and the IUCN, co-developed Song of the Ocean, and led intergenerational public engagement events (e.g., Tall Ships Aberdeen, 2025). Abbe has participated in UNFCCC COP26, the WIPO Diplomatic Conference on Genetic Resources (2024), and serves on the UN Regular Process Expert Pool for the World Ocean Assessment and the WMU MGR Scientific Advisory Committee.
    • Lowri Mai Griffiths is a senior legal and policy leader with over 20 years’ experience shaping the UK’s international approach to ocean governance. As Head of the Ocean Policy Unit at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, she led the UK’s implementation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and served as Head of Delegation for the negotiation of the BBNJ Agreement. Lowri works at the intersection of law, science, policy and international cooperation, with a long‑standing commitment to evidence‑based policymaking and sustainable ocean governance.
    • Richard Tur de la Concepcion serves as a Cuban delegate to the BBNJ process. Among his notable achievements is his role as coordinator of the Group of 77 and China in the Fifth Committee during 2023, under Cuba’s presidency of the Group. During that period, he was recognized for his leadership and initiatives aimed at enhancing the efficiency and impact of the United Nations.

    Co-production

    • Ina Tessnow-von Wysocki - Postdoctoral research Fellow, ANCORS
    • Jennifer Macey⁠ - Journalist & PhD Candidate, University of Wollongong
    • Fran Humphries - Associate Professor in Environmental Law, Griffith University Law School
    • Amelia Westmoreland - Scientific Researcher for 3Bio & Engagement Strategist
    • Marcel Jaspars - Professor of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen
    • Abbe Brown - Professor in Intellectual Property Law, University of Aberdeen

    Editing

    • Bettina Otterbeck - Freelance Video Editor

    Communications

    • Sunnefa Yeatman - PhD Candidate, ANCORS

    Further reading

    See Chapters 9, 10, 12, and 13 in Humphries, F. (ed.) (2025), Decoding Marine Genetic Resource Governance under the BBNJ Agreement (Springer) https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-72100-7
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    53 mins
  • 3) Anchoring the Framework: Interaction between Treaty Systems

    3) Anchoring the Framework: Interaction between Treaty Systems
    Mar 9 2026
    Episode 3 of the mini-series explores the role and future design of the treaty’s Clearing-House Mechanism (CHM). The episode examines why this mechanism is needed and what will be required to establish it effectively. Discussion focuses on how the CHM could connect with existing gene banks, repositories, databases to facilitate information sharing on marine genetic resources. The conversation also highlights the potential role of the CHM as a “match-maker” between capacity needs and capacity-building opportunities. In addition, the episode considers how traditional knowledge of Indigenous Peoples and local communities may be recognised and protected within the system, and reflects on related debates in other international fora where access and benefit sharing remains a central governance issue.GuestsMarcel Jaspars is Professor of Organic Chemistry at the University of Aberdeen where he leads the Marine Biodiscovery Centre which focuses on marine resources for novel pharmaceuticals, and to investigate fundamental questions in marine chemical ecology and biosynthesis. Marcel has been active at national and international levels to develop the science, its applications/industrial uptake and associated policy involved in marine biodiscovery and biotechnology. He provides scientific advice to the UK, EU and UN for global policy processes on ocean conservation and digital sequence information via reports, papers and taking part in discussion meetings.Amber Hartman Scholz is a microbiologist and Head of the Science Policy & Internationalization Department at the Leibniz Institute DSMZ in Braunschweig, Germany. She leads international science policy research with an emphasis on access and benefit sharing and digital sequence information. She co-founded the DSI Scientific Network and the German Nagoya Protocol Hub and is engaged leads Observer delegations under the Convention on Biological Diversity, the World Health Organization, the High Seas Treaty and the FAO Plant Treaty. She held previous science policy posts in the California State Senate and the White House Office of Science & Technology Policy during the Obama administration. She holds a PhD in Biology from the Johns Hopkins University.Julia Schutz Veiga is a consultant in ocean governance and the law of the sea, with recognised expertise in the BBNJ Agreement and marine technology transfer. Her research examines how international legal architectures distribute power, access, and benefits in the global ocean, with particular attention to equity-oriented implementation and the interface between legal design and practice.Vanessa Paloma Lopes is an early career scientist and recent graduate of Boston University, with a Master of Science degree in Marine Biology. Vanessa is a member of the Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI) Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction working group. Her research interests include a focus on enabling capacity building for early career scientists in SIDS and identifying challenges and options for sustainable development and conservation of the Oceans in Cabo Verde. Co-producers Ina Tessnow-von Wysocki - Postdoctoral Research Fellow, ANCORS Jennifer Macey - Journalist & PhD Candidate, University of WollongongFran Humphries - Associate Professor in Environmental Law, Griffith University Law SchoolAmelia Westmoreland - Scientific Researcher for 3Bio & Engagement StrategistMarcel Jaspars - Professor of Chemistry, University of AberdeenAbbe Brown - Professor in Intellectual Property Law, University of AberdeenEditing:Bettina Otterbeck - Freelance Video Editor Communications:Sunnefa Yeatman - PhD Candidate, ANCORSFurther readingHumphries, F. (ed.) (2025). Decoding Marine Genetic Resource Governance under the BBNJ Agreement (Springer):Chapter 8 (on TK) Chapter 9 (on Intellectual Property Rights) Chapter 11 (Interlinkages with other bodies) BBNJ Agreement & Official Website
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • 2) The Ship has Reached the Shore’: Sharing Ocean Heritage & Wealth

    2) The Ship has Reached the Shore’: Sharing Ocean Heritage & Wealth
    Mar 2 2026
    Episode 2 goes from the negotiation room into the text of the treaty – to unpick what access and benefit sharing of Marine Genetic Resources really means. We explore what the treaty means in practice for scientists and commercial end users, what the provisions hold for Indigenous Peoples and local communities, and the relevance for future generations. GuestsThomas Vanagt holds a PhD in Science from the University of Ghent and is the founder of ABSint, now part of 3BIO, a multidisciplinary company specialising in the valorisation of biotechnology R&D. With over two decades of experience at the interface of marine science, policy, and innovation, he has advised multinational companies as well as leading research institutes such as KU Leuven and VIB. Vanagt provides high-level policy guidance to the European Commission (DG ENV, DG MARE) and to several States and regional groups in the United Nations negotiations on BBNJ. His work focuses on access and benefit-sharing, marine genetic resources, and enabling practical pathways for equitable and sustainable research.”Angelique Pouponneau is a Seychellois lawyer and ocean advocate who serves as Lead Negotiator for the Alliance of Small Island States on ocean issues. She has been engaged in the BBNJ negotiations since 2018, representing both Seychelles and AOSIS. With a PhD and LLM in Environmental Law and more than a decade of experience as a practitioner across small island developing States in the Caribbean, Pacific, and Indian Ocean, she brings deep expertise in ocean governance and climate action. Previously, Angelique served as CEO of the Seychelles Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust and as Chief of Staff to the UN Secretary-General's Climate Action Team. Elisa Morgera is Professor of International Law and Sustainability at the University of Durham, UK and Professor of International and EU Environmental Law at the University of Eastern Finland. She is the UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights.  Zakieh Taghizadeh is a legal scholar specializing in international environmental law, ocean governance, intellectual property, and human rights. She actively participated in the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) PrepCom negotiations that led to the adoption of the BBNJ Agreement. Her direct involvement in the BBNJ process as a legal researcher and practitioner, has shaped her research on the conservation of marine genetic resources, asymmetries in intergenerational and intra-generational equity, law of the sea and intellectual property treaty-making processes, and the normative evolution of global environmental governance.Co-ProducersIna Tessnow-von Wysocki - Postdoctoral research Fellow, ANCORSJennifer Macey⁠ - Journalist & PhD Candidate, University of WollongongFran Humphries - Associate Professor in Environmental Law, Griffith University Law School Amelia Westmoreland - Scientific Researcher for 3Bio & Engagement StrategistMarcel Jaspars - Professor of Chemistry, University of AberdeenAbbe Brown - Professor in Intellectual Property Law, University of Aberdeen EditingBettina Otterbeck - Freelance Video Editor CommunicationsSunnefa Yeatman - PhD Candidate, ANCORS Further readingHumphries, F. (ed.) (2025). Decoding Marine Genetic Resource Governance under the BBNJ Agreement (Springer) Chapter 5 (BBNJ Notification System) Chapter 6 (Monetary & Non-monetary benefits) Chapter 7 (Monitoring & Transparency) Chapter 8 (TK) Chapter 14 (Scientists & Commercial End Users) Chapter 15 (Equity)BBNJ Agreement & Official Website
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    1 hr and 3 mins
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