16-17 December 2019, Nairobi, Kenya – A group of 26 officials from various ministries engaged in a two-day UNITAR training workshop with the aim of improving their skills and knowledge in the field of maritime law and international dispute settlement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). 

The successful delivery of the training workshop is in part the merit of the UNITAR’s lead expert on the Law of the Sea, whose rich experience in providing legal advice on environmental and marine issues to governmental and non-governmental bodies made him a captivating, dynamic, and highly relevant specialist. The combination of the trainer’s expertise and impressive presentation skills led to a constructive, proactive, and comfortable environment for all those who were present.

On the first day of the workshop, beneficiaries engaged in three learning experiences centred around introduction and in-depth exploration of such topics as The Development of UNCLOS, The Jurisdiction of Coastal, Flag, and Port States, and Ongoing Negotiation of a new High Seas Treaty. Members later interacted with a high degree of precision and enthusiasm in their first practical exercise “The Application of Jurisdiction at Sea”.

On the second day, the UNITAR senior consultant provided his attendees the most practical and relevant information on maritime dispute resolution within the framework of UNCLOS: an endeavour in which the resultant enthusiasm and curiosity of the participants translated into their high degree of interaction in the second practical exercise focused on conflict resolution.

Every single beneficiary left the workshop with increased awareness on UNCLOS, writing to UNITAR that the information provided was not only relevant to their field, but is also likely to be applied to their daily tasks. Furthermore, there was an overall feeling that participants’ professional skills have been enhanced during those two days.

Inspired by this workshop’s success, UNITAR looks forward to organizing similar activities with any interested body and invites any such groups to share its suggestions.