PGA remarks to the Commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the adoption and opening for signature o

8 December 2022

Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,

The English science writer Arthur C. Clarke once said: “How inappropriate to call this planet Earth when it is clearly Ocean.”

Yes, the oceans span more than 70% of our planet’s surface. They provide incredible biodiversity, sustenance and resources to billions of people and organisms – and half of the world’s oxygen.

Yet, despite the critical role the oceans play for our collective survival, they are increasingly under threat. And, unfortunately, the sands of time are running out. We must act collectively now, to find sustainable, science-based solutions to save our seas.

There is a wonderful Maori proverb that has been noted a number of times in these halls during many oceans related processes: “He waka eke noa” – we are all in the same canoe. We all have a shared responsibility. And we all need to do more.

Dear delegates, we come together today to mark the 40th anniversary of the adoption of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

This remarkable document, referred to by many as ‘the constitution of the oceans’ has served as our road map for the past four decades, providing the legal framework for all activities in the ocean and seas, as enshrined in customary international law.

It has given us a common language and guidance on how to define sovereign and navigational rights at sea; how to delineate maritime borders between neighbors; and how to regard and manage this vast common treasure and heritage of humankind.

The fact that UNCLOS is just as relevant as ever is a true UN success story. This document can serve as an excellent example of what can be achieved when multilateralism is done right. What global governance can and should look like.

And in this field, the General Assembly has mandated Member States to do more. Resolution 72/249 has called on them to elaborate the text of a legally binding instrument under UNCLOS for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction.

While we could see significant progress in this regard, extra effort must be made to conclude this High Seas Treaty.

Distinguished Delegates,

Countless species and immense biodiversity are on the brink of extinction as ocean temperatures continue to rise. And while the climate crisis threatens all humankind, in the context of the oceans, small islands are particularly vulnerable and face nothing short of an existential threat.

I commend Portugal and Kenya for co-hosting the UN Conference on the Ocean in Lisbon this past summer, which addressed the major threats to the health, ecology, economy, and governance of the ocean – acidification, marine litter and pollution, illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and the loss of habitats and biodiversity.

ويَسُّرُني في هذا الصَّدَدْ، أَن أُؤَكِد على أنّ مُؤْتَمَر لشبونة كانَ مِثالاً ناجِحاً للعَمَل المُتَعَدّد الأَطراف الإيجابي، حيْثُ تَضافَرَ المُجتَمَع الدُّولي للوُقوف على المَسائِل والقَضايا ذَاتُ الأَهَمّيَةِ القًصوَى.

(Arabic translation: I am pleased to confirm that the Lisbon conference was yet another example of positive multilateralism – with the global community coming together to jointly address issues of immense importance.)

Я приветствую стремления мобилизовать все силы для того, чтобы достичь существенных изменений. Нам необходимы научные и новаторские подходы, которые включают зелёные технологии и новейшие использования морских ресурсов.

(Russian translation: I commend these efforts to mobilize action and seek major transformations. We need science-based, innovative, and shared solutions, that involve green technology and inventive uses of marine resources.)

Dans ce contexte, je remercie les Gouvernements de France et du Costa Rica pour avoir généreusement offert de tenir la prochaine Conférence sur l’Océan en France en 2025.

(French translation : In this context, I thank the Governments of France and Costa Rica for their kind offer to host the next Conference on the Ocean in France in 2025.)

Esteemed Delegates,

I call upon all of you to continue to work together to enhance cooperation in the realm of the oceans and to advance the implementation of SDG 14.

Meanwhile, we should recognize the value of having a legal document like UNCLOS, which serves as a solid basis for promoting peace and sustainable development across our oceans and seas, throughout the globe.

I look forward to your active engagement in today’s important debate, and I thank you.