The third session of the BBNJ Preparatory Commission (PrepCom 3) was convened today, 24 March to the 2nd of April, 2026, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The Kiribati delegation is led by Charge d’affaires ad interim Josephine Moote, joined by Ms. Kabure Yeeting from the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources and Ms. Kaaroti Henry from the Ministry of Environment, Lands, and Agricultural Development. Key issues on the table for deliberations include: 🔹 Rules of Procedure for the COP and subsidiary bodies 🔹 Financial arrangements 🔹 Clearing-House Mechanism 🔹 Hosting proposals for the BBNJ Secretariat 🔹 Recommendations for COP 1 Over the weekend, we gathered with our Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS) family on Saturday, followed by the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) on Sunday, to align ahead of these crucial talks. Kiribati's priorities are centered on inclusive governance, accessible and sustainable financing, and a Clearing-House Mechanism that delivers real capacity-building for small island nations. The goal of this session is to prepare recommendations for the first COP, tentatively set for early 2027. Kam bati n raba to the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) GEF 8 BBNJ Support Project, for making our participation possible.