IUCN new policy brief on the BBNJ Agreement’s Clearing-House Mechanism
A new policy brief co-authored by our partners Amelia Westmoreland and Thomas Vanagt from 3BIO/ABS International and Marcel Jaspars from University of Aberdeen, highlights how countries can best share information about marine genetic resources (MGRs) under the BBNJ Agreement.
The Agreement’s Clearing‑House Mechanism (CHM) will act as a global online platform where information about MGR research is recorded, from planned expeditions to how genetic data is later used.
The authors recommend a dual notification system, arguing it offers the most effective, inclusive, and scientifically practical approach. Allowing both Parties and users to submit notifications (while automatically alerting national authorities) would:
- Help countries with limited administrative capacity
- Align with how scientists already share data
- Reduce delays and paperwork
- Maintain government oversight while empowering researchers.
The authors encourage countries to consider this dual system as they prepare the technical details for putting the BBNJ Agreement into action.