Background Release

ECOSYSTEM APPROACHES FOR MANAGING OCEANS FOCUS OF DISCUSSIONS

AT United Nations, 12 - 16 June

 

NEW YORK, 9 June (UN Office of Legal Affairs) –- Countries will discuss how to more sustainably manage and conserve ocean resources at the seventh meeting of the United Nations Open-Ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea which will take place in New York from 12 to 16 June.

At the centre of the discussions is the implementation of “ecosystem approaches” for the management of world ocean resources.  These approaches would replace the largely uncoordinated approach to ocean management regimes presently in place.  The meeting will consider components of ecosystem-based approaches, the practical implications of implementation, challenges and capacities needed, as well as policy and governance issues associated with the transition from the current management regimes to ecosystem-based management.  The discussions are likely to result in suggestions for consideration by the General Assembly.

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, in a report to the General Assembly, found that marine ecosystems, which cover more than 70 per cent of the globe and are extremely valuable for the health and development of the planet, are under growing pressure from different types of human activities or stresses.

“Management systems to control and reduce the effects of these activities have conventionally been developed on a sectoral basis”, he said, “resulting in a patchwork of legislation, policies, programmes and management plans at the local, national and international levels.  These management systems have not prevented a deterioration of ecosystem health.”

“Ecosystem approaches”, he said, “are based on the idea that more holistic, integrative and adaptive management approaches, based on scientific information, would maintain ecosystems in the sustainable condition necessary to achieve desired economic and social benefits.”

During the upcoming meeting, experts will engage in discussions on ecosystem approaches and oceans to demystify the concept “ecosystem approach” and understand its implications and address the steps that have to be taken in order to effectively implement ecosystem approaches.  In addition, participants will consider what lessons have been learned from implementing ecosystem approaches at the national level, identify possible capacity-building needs and determine the type of international cooperation that will be required to implement ecosystem approaches at regional and global levels.

Background

The Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea was established by the General Assembly in 1999 (resolution 54/33) to facilitate its annual review of developments in oceans and the law of the sea.  By resolution 57/141 of 12 December 2002, the General Assembly decided to continue the Consultative Process for an initial period of three years and in its resolution 60/30 of 29 November 2005, decided to extend it for a further three-year period.  The General Assembly will review again the effectiveness and utility of the Consultative Process at its sixty-third session.

The seventh meeting of the Consultative Process will base its discussions on the report of the Secretary-General on oceans and the law of the sea (document A/61/63).  The chapter in the report of the Secretary-General devoted to the topic of ecosystem approaches and oceans covers such issues as the rationale and goal of an ecosystem approach; the legal and policy framework at the global level; elements for developing an ecosystem approach; the implementation of ecosystem approaches at the regional level, including by regional fisheries management organizations, and at the national level; and international cooperation to build the necessary capacities in developing countries.

In addition to matters related to ecosystem approaches and oceans, the Secretary-General’s report also contains information on declarations and statements made by States under articles 287, 298 and 310 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea; provides an overview of recent State practice concerning maritime space; and elaborates on developments in the institutions established by the Convention.  It further provides information on the capacity-building activities of the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; recent developments relating to international shipping activities; labour conditions of seafarers; international migration of people by sea; maritime security; the marine environment, marine resources and sustainable development; the Indian Ocean tsunami and settlement of disputes.  It also addresses recent developments regarding the regular process for global reporting and assessment of the state of the marine environment, including socio-economic aspects, and UN-Oceans.

There will be an opportunity to discuss the area of focus “ecosystem approaches and oceans” in the discussion panel and in the plenary sessions.  During the plenary sessions, the meeting will also have an opportunity to have a general exchange of views on areas of concern and actions needed on issues other than those relating to the area of focus, including on issues discussed at previous meetings.

The format and provisional annotated agenda for the seventh meeting (document A/AC.259/L.7) is proposed by the co-Chairpersons of the Consultative Process, Lorraine Ridgeway (Canada) and Cristián Maquieira (Chile) following consultations with delegations and an informal preparatory meeting held at Headquarters on 16 March.

Other documents that will be before the seventh meeting is a submission by Canada transmitting the Report of the Scientific Experts’ Workshop on Criteria for Identifying Ecologically or Biologically Significant Areas beyond National Jurisdiction held in Ottawa from 6 to 8 December 2005 (document A/AC.259/16).

For further information, please contact:  United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, tel.:  +1-212-963-3962; e-mail:  doalos@un.org.  Website:  www.un.org/Depts/los/.

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For information media • not an official record