ONE-YEAR ELECTION DEFERRAL FAVOURED FOR COMMISSION ON CONTINENTAL SHELF LIMITS AS MEETING OF STATES PARTIES TO LAW OF SEA CONVENTION CONTINUES
Press Release
SEA/1505
ONE-YEAR ELECTION DEFERRAL FAVOURED FOR COMMISSION ON CONTINENTAL SHELF LIMITS AS MEETING OF STATES PARTIES TO LAW OF SEA CONVENTION CONTINUES
19951128 Speakers offer general support this morning to a one-year deferral of elections for the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, as the Meeting of States parties to the Convention on the Law of the Sea continued its discussion on a variety of administrative matters. Meeting President Satya N. Nandan (Fiji) said that he would draft a decision on the deferral.The Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf is provided for under article 76, part six, of the Convention (specific responsibilities are described in the Convention's Annex II). The Commission is charged with compiling information provided by States parties on the delimitation of their continental shelves, and with providing technical assistance to coastal States in that regard. States parties must provide that information to the Commission within 10 years of their ratification of or accession to the Convention.
By the Convention, initial election to the Commission is to be held within 18 months after the date of its entry into force -- a period which will expire on 16 May 1996. Commission members are to be elected at a Meeting of States parties convened by the Secretary-General at Headquarters. The Commission shall consist of 21 experts in the field of geology, geophysics or hydrography, elected by States parties from among their nationals and who shall serve in their personal capacities.
In the discussion this morning, several delegates said that in order for the Commission to be a credible and effective body, it must include technical experts chosen from a wide pool of candidates. The deferral would allow an increase in the number of States parties able to put forward candidates.
Other speakers, while accepting the majority view, expressed a preference for the May 1996 elections provided for in the Convention, or for a shorter deferral of several months. Several delegates wanted the election
States Parties - 2 - Press Release SEA/1505 AM Meeting 28 November 1995
deferred until August 1996. Speakers also urged that, as a practical measure, the election to the Commission should not overlap with the election of the Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.
One speaker suggested that if the Commission's formation was deferred by one year, the 10-year period within which States parties must submit relevant data should be commensurately deferred.
Speaking in the debate were representatives of the United States, Iceland, Australia, Uruguay, China, Canada, New Zealand, Senegal, Mexico, Germany, Cameroon, United Kingdom, Viet Nam, Lebanon, Jamaica, South Africa, Argentina. Malaysia, India and Indonesia.
The Meeting of States parties will next convene at a date to be announced.
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