Episode 4 covers practical considerations on how the Part on Marine Genetic Resources of the BBNJ Agreement can be implemented. Experts share experiences from ratification processes in their countries, considerations in relation to Intellectual Property Rights for the transfer of Marine Technology, an update on current discussions around the standardised batch identifier, ideas how to enhance interoperability of databases and systems, and the role of the Committees under the BBNJ agreement to deal with issues of Access and Benefit Sharing, as well as Capacity Building and the Transfer of Marine Technology.

Guests

• Fran Humphries is an Associate Professor at Griffith University, Australia, specialising in biodiversity law, law of the sea and intellectual property. She has led large projects on governance of genetic resources, digital sequence information and associated traditional knowledge for governments, NGOs and United Nations organisations. She was on the International Council of Environmental Law delegation during the BBNJ treaty intergovernmental conferences and preparatory commission meetings. She recently led an open access practical guide and commentary on the BBNJ Agreement's marine genetic resource obligations (see further ready below).

• Abbe Brown is Professor of Intellectual Property Law at the University of Aberdeen, specializing in IP’s intersection with other legal fields to address societal challenges. She served as BILETA Chair (2021–2024) and NERC Senior Expert (2021–2023), and was elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (2025). With nearly 10 years in legal practice (London, Melbourne, Edinburgh), Abbe maintains strong professional and industry ties. She contributes to BBNJ negotiations with Chemistry colleagues and the IUCN, co-developed Song of the Ocean, and led intergenerational public engagement events (e.g., Tall Ships Aberdeen, 2025). Abbe has participated in UNFCCC COP26, the WIPO Diplomatic Conference on Genetic Resources (2024), and serves on the UN Regular Process Expert Pool for the World Ocean Assessment and the WMU MGR Scientific Advisory Committee.
• Lowri Mai Griffiths is a senior legal and policy leader with over 20 years’ experience shaping the UK’s international approach to ocean governance. As Head of the Ocean Policy Unit at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, she led the UK’s implementation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and served as Head of Delegation for the negotiation of the BBNJ Agreement. Lowri works at the intersection of law, science, policy and international cooperation, with a long‑standing commitment to evidence‑based policymaking and sustainable ocean governance.
• Richard Tur de la Concepcion serves as a Cuban delegate to the BBNJ process. Among his notable achievements is his role as coordinator of the Group of 77 and China in the Fifth Committee during 2023, under Cuba’s presidency of the Group. During that period, he was recognized for his leadership and initiatives aimed at enhancing the efficiency and impact of the United Nations.

Co-production

• Ina Tessnow-von Wysocki - Postdoctoral research Fellow, ANCORS
• Jennifer Macey⁠ - Journalist & PhD Candidate, University of Wollongong
• Fran Humphries - Associate Professor in Environmental Law, Griffith University Law School
• Amelia Westmoreland - Scientific Researcher for 3Bio & Engagement Strategist
• Marcel Jaspars - Professor of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen
• Abbe Brown - Professor in Intellectual Property Law, University of Aberdeen

Editing

• Bettina Otterbeck - Freelance Video Editor

Communications

• Sunnefa Yeatman - PhD Candidate, ANCORS

Further reading

See Chapters 9, 10, 12, and 13 in Humphries, F. (ed.) (2025), Decoding Marine Genetic Resource Governance under the BBNJ Agreement (Springer) https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-72100-7