On 15 January 2026, the Under‑Secretary‑General for Legal Affairs and UN Legal Counsel, Ms. Elinor Hammarskjöld, led an online meeting of UN‑Oceans Principals focused on strengthening coordination, collaboration, and the overall impact of capacity‑building across the UN system.
Participants also endorsed the 2026 UN‑Oceans Work Programme.
Opening the meeting, the Legal Counsel emphasized the critical role of UN‑Oceans as a platform that unites UN entities to pool expertise, harmonize efforts, and provide sustained, meaningful support to Member States on ocean and coastal issues. She underscored the particular importance of this meeting in light of the upcoming entry into force of the BBNJ Agreement on 17 January 2026.
Representatives from twenty‑two entities stressed the need to scale up capacity‑building—especially scientific and technical support for developing countries—to help address growing ocean challenges, meet obligations under global frameworks, and advance ocean conservation and its sustainable use.
As UN‑Oceans Focal Point, Ms. Hammarskjöld affirmed her commitment to strengthening cooperation across the UN system and supporting collective efforts to enhance capacity‑building.
