#32026D0571Council Decision (EU) 2026/571 on the Position to be Taken by the EU in the Preparatory Commission and First Conference of the Parties to the BBNJ Agreement
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This Council Decision establishes the official position of the European Union for the final meeting of the Preparatory Commission and the first Conference of the Parties to the BBNJ Agreement (Agreement under UNCLOS on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction), which entered into force on 17 January 2026. The EU must support the adoption of rules of procedure that ensure efficient, cost-effective, transparent, and orderly functioning of the Conference of the Parties while allowing full participation of the Union as a Party. It also requires the EU to back financial rules and the operationalisation of a financial mechanism that is fair, transparent, responsive to each Party's circumstances, equitable according to ability to pay, and provides assistance to developing States Parties. The Decision emphasizes close cooperation between the Commission and Member States to maintain unity in external representation and clarifies that it does not affect the division of competences between the Union and its Member States.
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Key Changes
- Establishes EU position for final Preparatory Commission meeting and first COP to the BBNJ Agreement
- EU must support efficient, cost-effective, transparent and orderly rules of procedure for COP meetings
- EU must support fair, transparent financial rules and operationalisation of financial mechanism based on ability to pay
+ 3 more changes with Pro
Obligations
What this law requires
The EU must support the adoption of rules of procedure that provide for efficient, cost-effective, transparent and orderly functioning and organisation of meetings of the Conference of the Parties to the BBNJ Agreement, and allow for full participation of the Union as a Party
The EU must support the adoption of financial rules and operationalisation of a financial mechanism that establish a fair and transparent process responsive to each Party's circumstances, ensuring equitable contribution based on ability to pay
The EU must ensure the financial mechanism provides assistance to developing States Parties in their efforts to implement the BBNJ Agreement
The Commission and Member States must cooperate closely during the final meeting of the preparatory commission and the period between that meeting and the first Conference of the Parties meeting to ensure unity in external representation
The Union position taken at negotiations must be consistent with the position laid down in this Decision and its underlying principles