STATES PARTIES TO LAW OF SEA CONVENTION HOLD ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING

Press Release
SEA/1676

STATES PARTIES TO LAW OF SEA CONVENTION HOLD ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING

The States parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, at a brief meeting this morning, heard nominations for the four Vice-Presidents on its Bureau, as well as its Credentials Committee.

Among the issues being considered by the States parties at their five-day tenth meeting, which began yesterday, is the 2001 budget of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. The meeting established a working group yesterday to consider the Tribunal's budget and other financial matters. The Tribunal, which adjudicates on disputes with respect to the law of the sea, is one of the institutions created under the Convention.

At this morning's meeting, representatives of the regional groups announced their nominees. The African Group nominated Cameroon for Vice- President, and South Africa and Nigeria for the Credentials Committee. The Asian Group nominated China and Indonesia for the Credentials Committee.

The Western European and Other States Group nominated Malta and Portugal for the Credentials Committee. The Eastern European Group said it was not ready to submit its candidates.

Peter Donigi (Papua New Guinea), the President of the tenth meeting, urged the regional groups to submit their candidates for the Credentials Committee as soon as possible, so that it could meet.

The States parties will meet again at 3 p.m. today to continue its selection of candidates.

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* The 47th meeting was closed.