By Salma El-Sakka
China has nominated the coastal city of Xiamen to host the secretariat of the BBNJ Agreement, a United Nations treaty on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction. The decision on the secretariat's seat will be made at the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties in January 2027, with Brussels and Valparaiso as the other competing bids.
BBNJ Agreement background
The agreement, formally adopted by consensus at UN Headquarters in New York on 19 June 2023 after 19 years of negotiations, applies to the high seas and the international seabed area, which together cover two-thirds of the global ocean. It focuses on marine genetic resources, area-based management tools, environmental impact assessments, and capacity-building and transfer of marine technology.
China's early involvement
China participated throughout the negotiations, signed the agreement on the first day it opened for signature, and deposited its instrument of ratification with the UN Secretary-General on 15 December 2025, becoming one of the first parties when the treaty entered into force on 17 January 2026.
Xiamen's qualifications
Yi Xianliang, China's special envoy for BBNJ Secretariat Affairs, cited Xiamen's maritime heritage, environmental protection record, marine research capabilities, and international cooperation. The city boasts 537.5 miles of coastline, more than 27 square miles of national nature reserves for rare marine species, and frequent sightings of Chinese white dolphins. It hosts nearly 5,000 marine researchers, 30 marine science and technology research platforms, the APEC Marine Sustainable Development Center, and the China-ASEAN Maritime Cooperation Center.
Infrastructure and support
China has prepared a fully equipped 15-storey office building and two supporting buildings in Xiamen on a long-term, rent-free basis, allowing the secretariat to move in immediately. To support developing country participation, China will contribute $3 million to the agreement's voluntary trust fund and additional funding for a special capacity-building fund.
Global South representation
Yi emphasized the bid's significance for the Global South, saying it would increase developing countries' representation and influence in global ocean governance. "China is ready, Xiamen is ready," he stated, adding that choosing China means choosing greater certainty and stability for global governance.
