The Implementation and Compliance Mechanism under the BBNJ Agreement: Regulatory Efforts and New Challenges

Abstract The development of a comprehensive mechanism for implementation and compliance was one of the significant achievements of the BBNJ Agreement. Part VIII of the Agreement provides general provisions for both implementation and compliance, the first regulations of this kind under the United Nations Convention for the Law of the Sea ( LOSC ) regime. This article discusses the rationale of establishing an implementation and compliance mechanism in the BBNJ Agreement through examining the past experience of the LOSC regime. These lessons will be helpful for addressing the implementation challenges facing the BBNJ Agreement.