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Transcript: Annan Calls on All Countries to Ratify Law of the Sea Convention

(U.N. secretary general's remarks on 20th anniversary of treaty's
signing) (1000)
U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan - calling the 1982 U.N. Convention
on the Law of the Sea a milestone in the rule of law - has appealed to
all countries to ratify the document to strengthen global peace and
security.
In remarks delivered December 9 at the commemoration of the 20th
anniversary of the opening for signature of the convention, Annan said
the treaty - known as "a constitution for the oceans" - was
established as a legal framework of general principles and rules
governing the division of ocean space and regulating all activities
within it.
Annan said that over the last 20 years, the purposes of the convention
have in large measure been fulfilled: coastal states are delimiting
their maritime zones; freedom of navigation has been assured; ocean
activities are governed by law; and many conflicts have been avoided.
He added, however, that the implementation of certain aspects of the
convention has been inadequate, and referred to the increasing
depletion of the world's fisheries and the serious degradation of the
environment - both problems highlighted at the World Summit on
Sustainable Development held earlier this year in South Africa.
"These are threats not only to food security and to the livelihoods of
many coastal communities but also to human health and to life itself,"
he said.
To meet these threats, Annan called for improved cooperation and
coordination among the convention's member states and appealed to all
states who have not yet done so to ratify the treaty. "There could be
no bigger tribute to its success and importance than to see it become
truly universal," he said.
Tuvalu, Qatar and Armenia are the latest nations to ratify the treaty,
having done so December 9. So far, 141 nations are parties to the
agreement.
Following is the transcript of Annan's remarks:
(begin transcript)
United Nations
December 9, 2002
Secretary-General's remarks at the commemoration of the 20th
Anniversary of the opening for signature of the 1982 UN Convention on
the Law of the Sea [as delivered]
New York -- Thank you Mr. President, Excellencies, Colleagues and
Friends, We have come together today to celebrate the 20th Anniversary
of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The
Convention was a milestone for the rule of law, and for the United
Nations. Ambitious in scope, and comprehensive in purpose, the
Convention was designed to allocate rights and responsibilities on the
oceans -- among States and organizations.
Known to many as "a constitution for the oceans," the Convention was
established as a legal framework of general principles and rules
governing the division of ocean space and regulating all activities
within it. Like a constitution, it is a firm foundation -- a permanent
document providing order, stability, predictability and security --
all based on the rule of law. In a world of uncertainty and
insecurity, it is indeed a great achievement to have established this
Convention, and to ensure the rule of law in an element where human
beings from different nations have interacted through the centuries.
In each of the main areas addressed by the Convention -- the peaceful
uses of the sea, navigation and communication, the equitable and
efficient use of the oceans' resources, and the preservation of the
marine environment -- new challenges have emerged requiring new
thinking and vigorous action. The Convention is a living document,
adaptable to change -- and indeed, much has changed since its
adoption, and new developments will emerge in future. Old problems
have become more serious, and new problems have arisen.
The framers of the Convention knew that all the problems and uses of
the ocean were interrelated and that a piece-meal approach to
regulation would no longer suffice. Hence, they elaborated a
Convention that attempted to address, at least at the level of general
principles, all problems, all activities, all resources, all uses of
the oceans. They also sought to take into account, and to balance, the
rights and interests of all groups of States.
In doing so, they created a Convention which provides for the rational
exploitation of both living and non-living resources of the sea, and
for the conservation of the living resources. It establishes a
comprehensive and forward-looking framework for the protection of the
marine environment, a regime for marine scientific research,
principles for the transfer of technology, and finally, a binding and
comprehensive system for the settlement of disputes.
Over the last twenty years, the purposes of the Convention have in
large measure been fulfilled: coastal States are delimiting their
maritime zones in accordance with the Convention; freedom of
navigation has been assured; ocean activities are governed by law;
many conflicts have been avoided; and many problems have been
addressed.
On the other hand, implementation of certain aspects has been
inadequate. As highlighted by the recent World Summit on Sustainable
Development, the world's fisheries are becoming increasingly depleted,
and the environment is becoming dangerously and seriously degraded.
These are threats not only to food security and to the livelihoods of
many coastal communities, but also to human health and to life itself.
The oceans were the sources of life and continue to sustain it. The
oceans and the seas are vitally important for the earth's ecosystem.
They provide vital resources for food security, and without them,
economic prosperity and the well-being of present and future
generations could not be sustained.
Dear Friends,
If the Convention is to succeed in meeting these threats, cooperation
and coordination between States must be improved. Because
ocean-related issues are dealt with in many different organizations --
at the national, sub-regional, regional and global level -- constant
communication and coordination are necessary for effective governance.
Let me therefore close by appealing to all States who have not yet
done so to ratify the Convention. There could be no bigger tribute to
its success and importance than to see it become truly universal.
Peace and security, development and trade, cooperation and the rule of
law would be strengthened by that achievement. Thank you very much.
(end transcript)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)