At the third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3), Belgium hosted a side event focused on shaping an effective Clearing House Mechanism (CHM) for the new international treaty on marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ). The event brought together diverse voices from Belgium, Colombia, Samoa, Norway, and UNESCO to chart a path forward for this essential framework.
In his opening remarks, Pierre Kerkhofs, Director General for Environment at Belgium’s Federal Public Service for Health, framed the Clearing House Mechanism as the “digital nervous system” of the BBNJ Agreement—an essential infrastructure for connecting knowledge systems, capabilities, and stakeholders across the globe. He underscored that information sharing must go hand in hand with trust, institutional support, and equity. Drawing on Belgium’s leadership in initiatives like the World Register of Marine Species and the Ocean Teacher Global Academy, Kerkhofs emphasized the need for an inclusive and practical approach that empowers all nations, especially those with limited capacity, to access and contribute to the CHM.
This was followed by a keynote presentation from Vidar Helgesen, Executive Secretary of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission. He described the CHM as the “plumbing” through which information must flow – a system that must be reliable, well-designed, and fair. Helgesen also pointed to existing tools such as OBIS, ODIS, and OTGA as examples that can inspire the CHM’s development. He called for a system that is transparent, inclusive, and based on solid science and data.
Panel Discussion: What Should the CHM Look Like?
The panel featured experts from across the globe:
- Jan Mees (VLIZ, Belgium) stressed the need to build on existing marine data systems, such as the World Register of Marine Species, instead of starting from scratch.
- Ibukun Adewumi (UNESCO/IOC Africa) highlighted unequal access to data and the need for capacity building.
- Gemma Nelson (Samoa, Alliance of Small Island States) called for strong representation of Small Island Developing States and the inclusion of traditional knowledge.
- Francisco Arias-Isaza (General director of INVEMAR, Colombia) emphasized integrating indigenous and community knowledge into marine data systems.
- Rachel Tillers (SINTEF Ocean, Norway) proposed practical solutions, including citizen science and real-time data collection by fishing vessels.
Moving from Ideas to Action
Vladimir Jares from the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea concluded the event by stressing the necessity for standardised methodologies and constructive engagement between states and stakeholders throughout the development process.
Several key themes emerged from the discussion:
- Use what already exists: Build on existing databases, expert networks, and data management systems.
- Make it fair: Ensure that all countries, especially developing nations and islands, have access and a voice.
- Value all knowledge: Include both scientific data and traditional, local insights.
- Focus on real-world use: Design tools that serve policymakers, scientists, and ocean users alike.
A Path Forward
As the BBNJ Agreement moves toward implementation, this event made clear that the Clearing House Mechanism will be a cornerstone. The CHM must serve as both a technical repository and a vehicle for ocean justice, ensuring that the benefits of marine biodiversity conservation reach all nations whilst respecting diverse knowledge systems and governance approaches.
