UNITAR
21 March 2023, New York, USA – UNITAR and the Office of Legal Affairs of the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UN DOALOS) held the Briefing for Delegates on Oceans and the Law of the Sea on Tuesday, 21st March 2023 at Conference Room 11 of the United Nations Headquarters. The in-person meeting was a resounding success with over 100 participants from various UN departments and Missions. The briefing marks the first time UNITAR and UN DOALOS have partnered again after 3 years.
UNITAR
The briefing was opened by UNITAR Head of Office in New York, Mr. Marco Suazo, who recognized the role of the Office of Legal Affairs and DOALOS in the creation of the briefing. Mr.Suazo then thanked all the participants for registering for the briefing, and proceeded to introduce the day’s keynote speaker: Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares, Under-Secretary-General & UN Counsel for the Office of Legal Affairs. Mr. de Serpa Soares welcomed the delegates and stated how crucial this information will be for delegates and diplomats, especially new officers who do not have substantial background on oceans and the law of the sea.
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Mr Vladimir Jares -- Director, Office of Legal Affairs, DOALOS – and Ms. Alice Hicuburundi -- Principal Legal Officer, Office of Legal Affairs, DOALOS – led the briefing and recalled the different instruments and institutions (International Tribunal of Law of the Sea, International Seabed Authority, the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf) for the application of the Law of the Sea and the conflicts related to a deficient interpretation of the Convention. The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea is an independent judicial body established by the Third United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to adjudicate disputes arising out of the interpretation and application of the Convention.
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The speakers also discussed the Biodiversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) -- an Intergovernmental Conference on an international legally binding instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction. Annual resolutions and the role of each branch of the United Nations were also discussed, as well as the various capacity-building activities that are organized to raise awareness about the state of the ocean and to educate the youth and the general public about ocean affairs and the law of the sea.
The briefing ended with a question-and-answer portion – the participants were eager to ask questions, and the speakers expertly explained and expounded on each question. The next UNITAR NYO and DOALOS briefing will take place in May of 2023.