Team 🇧🇪 Belgium sets sail into week 1️⃣ of the second preparatory committee on #BBNJ, the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Treaty. 🇺🇳 Ready to navigate two weeks of crucial negotiations on the future of our ocean 🌊 !#BBNJBrussels #BBNJprepcom

At yesterday’s 🇧🇪-cosponsored side event, opportunities & challenges for ocean biodiversity were discussed, drawing on North-East Atlantic experience. Amb. De Smedt shared 🇧🇪 views on cooperation among high seas bodies. 🌊 #BBNJ #OSPAR #OceanProtection

Beautifully renovated Europe Square right at the border in #NovaGorica/#Gorizia, formerly a dividing line between East and West, now symbol of GO! 2025 Nova Gorica - Gorizia , Eur. capital of culture 2025

🌊 At PrepCom II, Belgium 🇧🇪 presented its ambition to host the 🐋🐠🐙 Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Secretariat in Brussels. To protect our ocean’s future, we focused on 3️⃣ Principles: 🔹accessibility 🔹transparency 🔹inclusivity #BBNJBrussels

In New York this week for several briefing sessions on 🇧🇪 candidature for the secretariat of the new High Seas Treaty (biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction - #BBNJ) that is expected to enter into force early 2026… Belgium UN New York 🇧🇪 Belgium MFA . See also 👇🏻 bbnjbrussels.be

Our must-see video on the #BBNJ secretariat, for which 🇧🇪 is currently actively campaigning … 🇧🇪 Belgium MFA Belgium UN New York canva.com/design/DAGxTLE…

🇧🇪 Special Envoy for Climate, Environment and #BBNJ champions Brussels as the potential home for the BBNJ Secretariat, highlighting 3️⃣ key strengths: 🔬 scientific excellence, 🌍 global accessibility and ✅ operational readiness from day one. #BBNJBrussels #OceanAction

🌊 #BBNJ Prepcom 2️⃣ just wrapped up! Team 🇧🇪 remained actively engaged in advancing the High Seas Treaty’s implementation. 🌏🐋 Belgium's commitment will continue through the intersessional period leading up to PrepCom 3️⃣ #BBNJBrussels #OceanGovernance 🇧🇪🇺🇳

🇧🇪 regularly supports the participation of some Small Island Developing States (#SIDS) to the #BBNJ negotiations, such as here the Seychelles, at last week’s PrepCom2 meeting in UN New York… Belgium UN New York 🇧🇪 Belgium MFA #bbnjbrussels

Some things never change: while clearing out old boxes, I came across some interesting press clippings from the 1980s…

Grateful for the interesting and rich exchange in Brussels with HE Assist. Minister Abdulla Balalaa of the 🇦🇪 UAE on the preparation of COP30, the Water Summit 2026 in UAE, #SOFF and #BBNJ 🇧🇪 Belgium MFA Belgium in the UAE

🇧🇪🌎 On The Road to Belem! COP30 Brazil A Bélgica está comprometida em apoiar e impulsionar soluções financeiras inovadoras para enfrentar os desafios climáticos. Com Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF), estamos mobilizando recursos e parcerias para reduzir as lacunas de dados sobre clima e meteorologia

🎉 Historic day for the ocean! With ratifications from Sri Lanka, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Sierra Leone & Morocco, the High Seas Treaty has hit 60 ratifications, triggering its entry into force. 🌊💙 Read our press release: highseasalliance.org/2025/09/19/his…

🐋🌊Historic moment: 60 countries ratified the #BBNJ Agreement, which will now enter into force! A big step for ocean protection, as the Treaty sets clear rules to establish marine protected areas, share benefits fairly, and boost marine science & training. #BBNJBrussels

Strengthening climate ambitions for global good 🌐 GCF CIO Henry Gonzalez & Belgium Deputy PM Maxime PREVOT reaffirmed their commitment to effective #ClimateAction through innovative finance, discussing ways to collaborate, especially in scaling up private sector partnerships.

A great pleasure to meet H.E. Batraki, new SG of the Organisation of 🇪🇺 ACP states in Brussels, discussing international climate cooperation and the #BBNJ 🇧🇪 Belgium MFA Belgium in the EU

#UNGA80📍High Tea 🫖 for the High Seas 🌊 At the #BBNJ campaign side event organised by Belgium 🇧🇪 , Minister of Justice and North Sea Annelies Verlinden joined Belgium UN New York to highlight the importance of protecting our oceans. 🐋

This year, Belgium has officially ratified the #BBNJ Treaty. At #UNGA80, Min. of Justice and North Sea Annelies Verlinden, reaffirmed 🇧🇪's commitment to the BBNJ Treaty and promoted its candidacy to host the future secretariat in Brussels. 🔗 More info : urls.fr/jR30kV

Congratulations to María Corina Machado Machado, winner of the 2025 #NobelPeacePrize for her tireless fight for democracy and human rights in 🇻🇪. ⤵

For me too (LL.M. 1988) LSE was and still is a wonderful place, opening eyes on the world, seeking to understand our societies and contributing to solutions… Happy Birthday 🎂🍾!