In accordance with resolution 78/272, the Preparatory Commission for the entry into force of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) and the convening of the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Agreement shall be open to all States Members of the United Nations, members of the specialized agencies and parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Others are entitled to participate in the Conference in the capacity of observer in accordance with resolution 78/272. Pursuant to that resolution, the following organizations or entities are entitled to participate as observers:
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Organizations and other entities that have received a standing invitation from the General Assembly pursuant to its relevant resolutions to participate, in the capacity of observer, in its sessions and work
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Interested global and regional intergovernmental organizations and other interested international bodies that were invited to participate in relevant conferences and summits (*see list)
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The following associate members of regional commissions: American Samoa, Anguilla, Aruba, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Curaçao, French Polynesia, Guam, Montserrat, New Caledonia, Puerto Rico, Sint Maarten, the Turks and Caicos Islands and the United States Virgin Islands
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Relevant specialized agencies, as well as other organs, organizations, funds and programmes of the United Nations system
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Relevant non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council in accordance with the provisions of Council resolution 1996/31 of 25 July 1996
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Relevant non-governmental organizations that were accredited to relevant conferences and summits (*see list)
* Reference is made to the following conferences and summits:
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the World Summit on Sustainable Development
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the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development
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the United Nations conferences on the sustainable development of small island developing States
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the United Nations Conference on Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks
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the Review Conference on the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks
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the United Nations Conferences to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development