15 Jun 2017
Mme. President,
1. My delegation thanks the Secretary-General for his comprehensive report, which provides an overview on developments and issues relating to ocean affairs and the law of the sea. My delegation wishes to make three points.
2. First, regarding the work of the bodies established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (“UNCLOS”), my delegation had earlier delivered a statement on the Information reported by the Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority. We would like to take this opportunity to also express our appreciation for the importance, to the implementation of UNCLOS, of the work of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf.
3. Second, we wish to underscore the important role of UNCLOS in achieving sustainable development. This important role is clearly reflected in Goal 14 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In particular, Target 14.C recognises the need to implement international law as reflected in UNCLOS. In the past week, we saw the successful conclusion of a historic conference to support the implementation of Goal 14 (“the Ocean Conference”). In our view, this conference not only represents a significant step towards the implementation of Goal 14, but also a momentous occasion in oceans history. Amongst other things, the conference adopted the Call for Action, which we believe is an ambitious, balanced and action-oriented document. The Call for Action similarly affirms the need to enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in UNCLOS. Indeed, UNCLOS provides the legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out. It is therefore fundamental to the sustainable development of our ocean that UNCLOS be fully implemented, and for it to achieve universality in participation. In this regard, Singapore, together with Jamaica, Argentina, the Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, and the UN Office of Legal Affairs, organised a side event during the Ocean Conference to discuss the central role of UNCLOS in the implementation of Goal 14. We were heartened by the high rate of interest and participation in our event.
4. This brings me to my final point, which is to affirm the importance of building the capacity of States to effectively implement UNCLOS. It is important for all of us to have a detailed understanding of UNCLOS and the legal framework that it establishes, especially considering that there are a number of other instruments and treaties that fall, and will continue to fall within this legal framework. As informed during the Ocean Conference, Singapore has registered, as a voluntary commitment, a commitment to continue at least until 2019, a project known as the Oceans Governance Research Programme. This project is a partnership between the Maritime Port Authority of Singapore and the Centre for International Law of the National University of Singapore, and aims to further the goal of implementing international law under UNCLOS. We hope that this partnership, together with many others around the world, will assist to build capacity and raise awareness to support the understanding and application of UNCLOS, which is accepted as the Constitution of the oceans.
5. I thank you for your attention.
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