IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY, DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL NOTES LAW OF SEA TREATY’S GAINS,

CHALLENGES, INCLUDING DEPLETED FISHERIES, PIRACY, DEGRADED MARINE ENVIRONMENT

Following is UN Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro’s statement to the General Assembly on the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the opening of the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea, in New York today:

It is an honour for me to address the General Assembly on behalf of the Secretary-General on this day, which marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the opening for signature of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, commonly referred to as the “Constitution of the Oceans”.  It is also a privilege to stand before you 40 years after Ambassador Arvid Pardo of Malta, in this very forum, inspired the international community to work relentlessly towards an international legal order that would regulate all uses of the oceans for the benefit of all.

The Convention has been a major achievement of the United Nations in its quest to strengthen peace, security and cooperation, and friendly relations among all nations, and to promote the economic and social advancement of all peoples of the world.

The Convention included new and innovative concepts in the development of international law.  It further provided an impetus for the conclusion of other international instruments related to numerous aspects of ocean uses, such as the conservation, management and sustainable use of living marine resources.

The global regime set out in the Convention replaced uncertainty and the risk of conflict with clarity and stability, and opened the way to increased international cooperation.  It was the first multilateral treaty providing for compulsory dispute settlement mechanisms entailing binding decisions, setting an important precedent.

Over the last 25 years, considerable progress towards the goals of the Convention has been made.  Potential conflicts over maritime space and resources have been avoided.  Pollution is being addressed through various instruments and many sources of pollution are the subject of strict regulation.  Our knowledge of the oceans and their ecosystems, albeit still expanding, has considerably improved through marine scientific research.

At the same time, it is necessary to recognize that the implementation of some of the provisions of the Convention has lagged behind.  The world’s fisheries continue to be depleted.  The marine environment continues to be degraded by pollution from various sources, including pressure from growing coastal populations and climate change.  Transnational organized crime, such as illicit traffic in narcotic drugs, the smuggling and trafficking of persons, acts of piracy and terrorist acts also present major threats.  The Secretary-General’s reports on these issues have noted with concern that some of these illegal activities continue to occur and are on the rise in some regions.  The plight of persons smuggled or trafficked by sea, in particular, raises significant humanitarian and maritime issues, which require urgent attention.  New uses of the oceans, as well as emerging issues, such as adaptation of coastal communities to the impacts of climate change, also raise challenges that require enhanced understanding and interdisciplinary solutions.

Many of these challenges transcend national boundaries.  Addressing them requires further concerted efforts by actors working together at the national, regional and global levels.  It all also requires cooperation to ensure that all parties have the legal, institutional, economic, technical and scientific capacity to abide by the Convention’s provisions.

The Convention has overcome many challenges in the past 25 years, and remains the fundamental basis for peace, order and security in the oceans.

With 155 parties to date, including the European Community, the Convention is one of few international agreements that are widely applied, including by many non-parties.  The Secretary-General and I encourage those States that have not yet done so to consider becoming parties to the Convention, in order to achieve universal participation.

It is my hope, and that of the Secretary-General, that the challenges that lie ahead will be dealt with in the same spirit of dedication, commitment and understanding as those that prevailed during the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea, which led to the adoption of the Convention.  Nothing less is required if present and future generations are to benefit from the oceans’ bounty, while protecting the marine environment and achieving sustainable development.

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For information media • not an official record