Following successful workshops in Botswana (November 2025) and the CARICOM region, BlueRemediomics’ partner, 3BIO, continued and concluded their international capacity-building programme with two regional workshops focused on Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) for Marine Genetic Resources (MGRs). Held in Fiji and Indonesia, the workshops brought together policymakers, researchers, National Competent Authorities (NCAs), and regional stakeholders to support the implementation of international frameworks such as the Nagoya Protocol and the BBNJ Agreement.
Advancing collaboration across Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS)
Earlier in the year, from 28 to 30 April 2026, a regional workshop was held in Suva, Fiji. Organised by 3BIO as part of BlueRemediomics in collaboration with the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC), the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), the University of the South Pacific (USP), and the University of New South Wales (UNSW), and co-funded by OPOC and the Commonwealth Secretariat, the event welcomed representatives from across the Pacific region, including NCAs, national focal points and regional experts.
The workshop addressed the growing importance of ABS in PSIDS, while providing a dedicated forum for knowledge exchange and regional cooperation.
The first day focused on the policy and legal dimensions of ABS and MGRs. Participants explored the Nagoya Protocol and the BBNJ Agreement through Pacific-specific examples, examined marine biotechnology workflows and discussed mechanisms such as the BBNJ Clearing-House. A dedicated “Pacific Voices” session created space for delegates to share experiences and implementation challenges from their respective countries.
The second day examined emerging issues surrounding Digital Sequence Information (DSI), data sovereignty and the implications of BBNJ implementation for Pacific nations. Participants also reviewed regional ABS databases and clearing-house mechanisms, discussed traditional knowledge and community perspectives, and took part in interactive discussions on fostering trust and collaboration between scientists, users and regulators. The programme additionally included a laboratory visit at the University of the South Pacific and a reception hosted at OPOC headquarters.
The final day emphasised practical application and regional coordination. Delegates participated in a hands-on ABS negotiation simulation, explored links between marine biodiversity governance and fisheries management through discussions involving the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, and considered different approaches to benefit-sharing. A co-design session enabled participants to draft country roadmaps toward a harmonised regional approach, and highlighted what was working and what needed additional support.
Building regional capacity in Southeast Asia
From 7 to 9 September 2026, BlueRemediomics partners 3BIO and the University of Aberdeen along with UNSW delivered a three-day workshop in Bali, Indonesia, with invitations facilitated through the ASEAN Secretariat. The workshop brought together 23 delegates in person, alongside additional online participants, representing Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Timor-Leste, Viet Nam and Myanmar.
The programme combined practical field experiences with policy discussions, scientific expertise and interactive exercises. Participants began with site visits to the Turtle Conservation and Education Centre in Serangan and a mangrove restoration centre in Bali. These visits were followed by sessions introducing the legal foundations of ABS, the Nagoya Protocol and the BBNJ Agreement, as well as a facilitated discussion on regional preparedness for the first Conference of the Parties (COP1) to the BBNJ Agreement. Delegates also benefited from contributions by Indonesian BBNJ negotiator Bintang Napitupulu.
The second day explored the journey from marine biological samples to potential applications, examining marine biotechnology workflows, the interface between science and regulation, and Intellectual Property (IP) considerations, including disclosure of origin requirements across the region. Participants also exchanged perspectives on community engagement and traditional knowledge during a panel session opened by representatives of the ASEAN Secretariat.
On the final day, delegates engaged in applied learning activities, including a session on marine natural products, a two-hour ABS negotiation simulation in small groups, and a benefit-sharing clinic working through real regional case studies, and country roadmaps on what is in force, what is stuck and what each delegation needs.
Despite logistical challenges caused by the eruption of Anak Krakatau, which resulted in the temporary closure of Jakarta airport, the workshop successfully adapted its programme, with some speakers joining remotely and activities being rescheduled on-site.
Through these workshops, BlueRemediomics continued to contribute to international efforts to strengthen capacities for marine biodiversity governance and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from MGRs. By combining legal, scientific and practical perspectives, the workshops helped equip stakeholders with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate evolving international frameworks while fostering regional cooperation and dialogue.
As countries advance preparations for implementing the BBNJ Agreement and related biodiversity commitments, such capacity-building initiatives play an important role in supporting informed decision-making and enhancing cooperation across regions and sectors.