Doha, November 15 (QNA) - A two-day training workshop titled "The Convention on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction: From Negotiations to Implementation" opened on Sunday, organized by the Standing Committee on the Law of the Sea Convention at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the participation of representatives from relevant government entities in Qatar.

The workshop aims to familiarize participants with the agreement and its implementation requirements, strengthen national coordination on the matter, and address marine genetic resources, marine protected areas, environmental impact assessments, capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology, as well as the agreement's financial mechanism.

In his opening remarks, Ali Mohammed Al Yarbooi, a member of the Standing Committee on the Law of the Sea Convention, said the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, known as the BBNJ Agreement, marked an important milestone in the development of international law of the sea and in efforts to protect the marine environment and conserve its resources.

He said the workshop was particularly important in light of Qatar's accession to the agreement on Jan. 14, 2026, and its entry into force for Qatar on Feb. 13, 2026. This entails the need to understand its provisions and obligations, as well as a shared national responsibility for its implementation and for identifying the coordination and cooperation required among the relevant entities.

Al Yarbooi commended the committee's initiative in organizing the workshop, saying it reflected its commitment to translating interest in the BBNJ Agreement into practical steps to strengthen national understanding of its provisions and implementation requirements.

He said Qatar's interest in maritime affairs stemmed from the importance of the marine environment and its resources, their connection to sustainable development and regional and international cooperation, and the need to keep pace with developments in the international marine governance framework.

The agreement, he noted, adds an important dimension to international efforts to protect marine biodiversity through a comprehensive framework addressing the key elements of such protection.

He added that the importance of these elements extended beyond their legal and environmental dimensions to include scientific, technical and institutional aspects, as well as the need to coordinate the roles of relevant national entities to ensure a consistent understanding of the state's obligations and practical readiness to address them.

Al Yarbooi said the workshop was not merely an opportunity to become familiar with the agreement's text and provisions, but also a step in a broader national effort to build capacity, strengthen coordination among the relevant entities and develop a shared understanding of the nature of the obligations arising from the agreement and the measures they may require at the national level.

He added that the workshop offered an important opportunity to exchange expertise, discuss related legal and technical issues, and raise questions that relevant entities may encounter when moving from understanding the agreement's provisions to examining the requirements for its implementation.

He stressed that responsibility for implementing the agreement did not rest with a single entity, but required cooperation among all relevant authorities. Such cooperation, he said, would enhance national performance and support Qatar's effective participation in related international efforts.

He also highlighted investment in national capacity-building and the preparation of qualified personnel as a key element of this process.

Concluding his remarks, Al Yarbooi expressed hope that the workshop would deepen knowledge and broaden understanding of the agreement's various dimensions, while laying the groundwork for further cooperation and coordination among the relevant entities in support of Qatar's objectives. (QNA)