8 June - World Oceans Day

Calendar of meetings

Submissions to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf

18 July 2016

Workshop to discuss implementation of paragraphs 113, 117 and 119 to 124 of resolution 64/72 and paragraphs 121, 126, 129, 130 and 132 to 134 of resolution 66/68, addressing the impacts of bottom fishing on vulnerable marine ecosystems and the long-term sustainability of deep-sea fish stocks (New York, 1 to 2 August 2016)

• Information on the Workshop is available here

3 May 2016

On 3 May 2016 Antigua and Barbuda acceded to the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982. (See more)

21 April 2016

The following documents for the resumed Review Conference on the United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement, to be held from 23 to 27 May 2016, are now available:

A/CONF.210/2012/2 - Report on the status of the Assistance Fund under Part VII of the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks - Note by the Secretariat

A/CONF.210/2016/1 - Report submitted to the resumed Review Conference in accordance with paragraph 41 of General Assembly resolution 69/109 to assist it in discharging its mandate under article 36 (2) of the Agreement - Report of the Secretary-General

A/CONF.210/2016/L.2 - Draft organization of work of the resumed Review Conference in 2016

A/CONF.210/2016/L.1 - Provisional agenda for the resumed Review Conference in 2016

15 March 2016

Advance unedited reporting material on the topic of focus of the seventeenth meeting of the Informal Consultative Process (English only)

24 December 2015

On 23 December 2015, the General Assembly adopted draft resolution A/70/L.22 entitled "Oceans and the Law of the Sea", as resolution 70/235 (provisionally available as A/70/L.22)

09 December 2015

The General Assembly, at its 69th plenary meeting on 8 December 2015, adopted draft resolution A/70/L.19 entitled " Sustainable fisheries, including through the 1995 Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, and related instruments ", as resolution 70/75 (provisionally available as A/70/L.19)

04 December 2015

Secretary-General's message on the 20th Anniversary of the Opening for Signature of the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (UN Fish Stocks Agreement)

12 October 2015

A/70/418 - Report on the work of the Ad Hoc Working Group of the Whole on the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects - Letter dated 12 October 2015 from the Co-Chairs of the Ad Hoc Working Group of the Whole addressed to the President of the General Assembly

27 August 2015

The advance and unedited reporting material of the Secretary-General on oceans and the law of the sea to the 70th session of the General Assembly is now available in English only.

Contributions to the second part of the report are also available

Information provided by DOALOS as referenced in the reporting material of the Secretary-General to the 70th General Assembly

07 August 2015

A/70/112 - Summary of the First Global Integrated Marine Assessment (Submitted by the Co-Chairs of the Ad Hoc Working Group of the Whole)

26 March 2015

The advance and unedited reporting material of the Secretary-General on the topic of focus of the sixteenth meeting of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea is now available in English only

29 December 2014

The General Assembly, at its 77th plenary meeting on 29 December 2014, adopted A/69/L.29 entitled "Oceans and the Law of the Sea", as resolution 69/245 (provisionaly available as A/69/L.29)

17 December 2014

Partial Submission by Spain in respect of the area west of the Canary Islands

15 December 2014

Partial Submission by Denmark in respect of the Northern Continental Shelf of Greenland

9 December 2014

The General Assembly, at its 67th plenary meeting on 9 December 2014, adopted A/69/L.30 entitled "Sustainable fisheries, including through the 1995 Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, and related instruments", as resolution 69/109 (provisionaly available as A/69/L.30)

25 September 2014

Joint Submission by Cabo Verde, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Senegal and Sierra Leone.

23 September 2014

M.Z.N. 108. 2014. LOS of 23 September 2014: Deposit by Saint Vincent and the Grenadines of a list of points, pursuant to article 16, paragraph 2, and article 47, paragraph 9, of the Convention.

3 September 2014

Communications from Canada with regard to the submission made by the French Republic to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf

21 July 2014

Submission by Somalia

27 March 2014

Twenty-fourth Meeting of States Parties, New York, from 09 to 13 June 2014: SPLOS/265 Election of seven members of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea - List of candidates nominated by States Parties

14 March 2014

Advanced and unedited reporting material on the topic of focus of the fifteenth meeting of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea, entitled: “The role of seafood in global food security”

22 November 2013

The Republic of South Africa submitted an Amendment to the 2009 Partial Submission to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf in respect of the mainland of the territory of the Republic of South Africa.

21 October 2013

The outcome of the sixth meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Informal Working Group to study issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction is now available as document 68/399

26 September 2013

The advance and unedited reporting material on the outcome of the sixth meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Informal Working Group to study issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction (English only) is now available

19 September 2013

On 10 September 2013 Croatia acceded to the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (see more...)

13 September 2013

Ghana Revised Executive Summary

11 September 2013

Advance and unedited reporting material on oceans and the law of the sea (English only) is now available

3 September 2013

The report on the work of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea at its fourteenth meeting is now available as document A/68/159.

9 August 2013

On 7 August  2013, Niger ratified the Convention and expressed its consent to be bound by the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI (see more...)

1 August 2013

Meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Informal Working Group to study issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction:

A/AC. 276/7  Note verbale dated 23 July 2013 from the Permanent Mission of Lithuania to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General

24 July 2013

Intersessional workshops aimed at improving understanding of the issues and clarifying key questions as an input to the work of the Ad Hoc Working Group To Study Issues Relating To The Conservation And Sustainable Use Of Marine Biological Diversity Beyond Areas Of National Jurisdiction : Summary of proceedings prepared by the Co-Chairs of the Working Group, is available as document A/AC.276/6*.

15 July 2013

The Report on the work of the Ad Hoc Working Group of the Whole on the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects, is available as document A/68/82.

12 July 2013

The Secretary-General approved the appointment of Ms. Gabriele Goettsche-Wanli to the post of Director, Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, Office of Legal Affairs.  Ms. Goettsche-Wanli will take up the functions of that position effective 1 August 2013. As from that date, all official correspondence to the Division should be addressed to:
Ms. Gabriele Goettsche-Wanli
Director
Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, Office of Legal Affairs
Room DC2-0450
United Nations
New York, NY 10017, USA

24 June 2013

The provisional agenda for the meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Informal Working Group to study issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction, which will be convened in New York, from 19 to 23 August 2013, is available as document A/AC.276/L.9.

21 May 2013

United Nations to Issue “World Oceans Day” Stamps - Whimsical Images Highlight Important Subject

The stamps, issued in US dollars, Swiss francs and Euros, will be sold at United Nations stamp shops in New York, Geneva and Vienna. They can also be purchased at unstamps.org, or by calling the New York office at 1-800-234-8672.

9 April 2013

Information for participants is available for the Fourth Meeting of the Ad Hoc Working Group of the Whole (22 - 26 April 2013). The Format, Provisional Agenda, Annotated Provisional Agenda and Organization of work for this meeting are also available.

8 April 2013

Ad Hoc Open-ended Informal Working Group to study issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction: Pursuant to General Assembly resolution 67/78, two intersessional workshops will be convened in New York, from 2 to 3 May and 6 to 7 May 2013, with the view to improving understanding of the issues and clarifying key questions as an input to the work of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Informal Working Group.
Lists of panellists:

• Intersessional Workshop on Marine genetic resources, 2-3 May 2013, New York
• Intersessional Workshop on conservation and management tools, including area-based management and environmental impact assessments, 6-7 May 2013, New York

5 April 2013

Information for participants to the 14th meeting of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea is available as well as the Report of the Secretary-General and an advance and unedited format and annotated provisional agenda for the fourteenth meeting of the United Nations Open-ended Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea (English only)

25 March 2013

A letter dated 20 March 2013 from Mr. Achim Steiner, Chair of the High-level Committee on Programmes (HLCP), inviting to submit names of candidates for the Oceans Compact Advisory Group

18 March 2013

The Terms of Reference of the Oceans Compact Advisory Group (OCAG) circulated by a letter dated 14 March 2013 from the Chair of the High-level Committee on Programmes (HLCP), Mr. Achim Steiner, Executive Director of the United Ntions Environment Programme, addressed to Member States

11 March 2013

On 20 March 2013, a preparatory meeting for the 14th meeting of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea will be convened by the Co-Chairs of the 14th meeting of ICP, H.E Ambassador Meetarbhan of Mauritius and H.E Ambassador MacKay of New Zealand, at United Nations Headquarters in New York, Conference Room 1 NLB

7 February 2013

Pursuant to General Assembly resolution 67/78, paragraph 182, two intersessional workshops will be convened in New York, from 2 to 3 May and 6 to 7 May 2013, with the view to improving understanding of the issues and clarifying key questions as an input to the work of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Informal Working Group. The sixth meeting of the Working Group will take place in New York from 19 to 23 August 2013, in accordance with paragraph 184 of the resolution.  For further information, please follow this link.

23 January 2013

On 8 January 2013, Timor-Leste acceded to the Convention and expressed its consent to be bound by the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI (see more...)

19 December 2012

On 19 December 2012, the Meeting of States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea elected Mr. Szymon Uścinowicz (Poland) as member of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf for a term of office ending on 15 June 2017. The list of members of the Commission is available here.

11 December 2012

On 11 December 2012, the General Assembly adopted, by 125 votes in favour, one against and with four abstentions, resolution 67/78 on Oceans and the law of the sea (provisionally available as A/67/L.21). It also adopted, without a vote, resolution67/79 on Sustainable fisheries, including through the 1995 Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, and related instruments ([provisionally available as A/67/L.22) press release

10 December 2012

Secretary-General Urges Universal Participation in Law of the Sea Convention as General Assembly Commemorates 30-year Anniversary of ‘Essential Treaty’

General Assembly Commemorates Thirtieth Anniversary of Opening for Signature of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea

6 December 2012

The texts of draft resolutions on (a) Oceans and the law of the sea (A/67/L.21) and on (b) Sustainable fisheries, including through the 1995 Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, and related instruments (A/67/L.22) have been released.
Link to ODS
Link to General Assembly Meetings

14 November 2012

On 14 November 2012, the General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/67/5 Plenary meetings of the General Assembly on 10 and 11 December 2012 devoted to the consideration of the item entitled “Oceans and the law of the sea” and to the commemoration of the thirtieth anniversary of the opening for signature of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea without a vote. It is provisionally available as document A/67/L.4 and A/67/L.4/Add.1.

6 November 2012

On 5 November 2012, Bangladesh ratified the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (see more...)

5 November 2012

Document A/67/315 Report of the Secretary-General "Sustainable fisheries, including through the 1995 Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, and related instruments" released

25 October 2012

Document A/67/79/Add.1 Report of the Secretary General "Oceans and Law of the Sea" released.

24 September 2012

On 24 September 2012,  Ecuador acceded to the Convention and Swaziland ratified it, and both expressed their consent to be bound by the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI (see more...)

21 September 2012

On 19 September 2012, Morocco ratified the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (see more...)

12 August 2012

On 12 August 2012, the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, launched the Oceans Compact-an initiative to strengthen United Nations system-wide coherence to deliver on its oceans-related mandates

24 July 2012

The report on the work of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea at its thirteenth meeting is now available as document A/67/120.

13 July 2012

The outcome of the fifth meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Informal Working Group to study issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction is now available as document A/67/95.

7 June 2012

On 6 and 7 June 2012, the Twenty-second Meeting of States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea elected 20 members of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf for a term of five years, commencing from 16 June 2012 and ending on 15 June 2017. The election of 1 member of the Commission has been postponed. The list of members elect are available here.

20 April 2012

The Secretary-General report A/67/79 on the topic of focus of the thirteenth meeting of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea (29 May - 1 June 2012, New York), is available.

12 April 2012

The Provisional Agenda and the Draft format and annotated provisional agenda and organization of work for the meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Informal Working Group to study issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction (7 - 11 May 2012, New York) are now available in all official languages.

4 April 2012

The advance, unedited provisional format and annotated provisional agenda for the thirteenth meeting of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea (29 May - 1 June 2012, New York) is available.

3 April 2012

The advance, unedited provisional agenda and the advance, unedited format and annotated provisional agenda and organization of work for the fifth meeting of the of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Informal Working Group to study issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction (7 - 11 May 2012, New York) are available.

22 March 2012

ICP Preparatory Meeting - the Preparatory Meeting for the thirteenth meeting of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea will be held on 3 April 2012. The draft documents for the Preparatory Meeting are now available.

12 March 2012

Document SPLOS/239 - List of candidates nominated by States parties for election to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf - Note by the Secretary-General -is now available

24 December 2011

On 24 December 2011, the General Assembly adopted draft resolution A/66/L.21 - Oceans and the law of the sea - by 134 votes to 1, with 6 abstentions (resolution 66/231)

6 December 2011

On 6 December 2011, the General Assembly adopted draft resolution A/66/L.22 - Sustainable fisheries, including through the 1995 Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, and related instruments (resolution 66/68).

18 November 2011

Document A/66/566 - Workshop to discuss implementation of paragraphs 80 and 83 to 87 of resolution 61/105 and paragraphs 117 and 119 to 127 of resolution 64/72 on sustainable fisheries, addressing the impacts of bottom fishing on vulnerable marine ecosystems and the long-term sustainability of deep-sea fish stocks - Letter dated 27 October 2011 from the Moderator of the Workshop to the President of the General Assembly
 

29 August 2011

Document A/66/70/Add.2 - Report of the Secretary General "Oceans and Law of the Sea"
 

17 October 2011

Report A/66/307 - Actions taken by States and regional fisheries management organizations and arrangements in response to paragraphs 80 and 83 to 87 of General Assembly resolution 61/105 and paragraphs 113 to 117 and 119 to 127 of General Assembly resolution 64/72 on sustainable fisheries, addressing the impacts of bottom fishing on vulnerable marine ecosystems and the long-term sustainability of deep-sea fish stocks; now available

14 October 2011

Summary of the Moderator of the Workshop to discuss implementation of paragraphs 80 and 83 to 87 of resolution 61/105 and paragraphs 117 and 119 to 127 of resolution 64/72 on sustainable fisheries, addressing the impacts of bottom fishing on vulnerable marine ecosystems and the long-term sustainability of deep-sea fish stocks, which was held at United Nations Headquarters in New York on 15 and 16 September 2011.

7 October 2011

Document CLCS/72 -  Progress of work in the Commission on the Limits of the continental Shelf - Statement by the Chairperson - Twenty-eighth session - is now available

4 October 2011

Summary of the Moderator of the Workshop to discuss implementation of paragraphs 80 and 83 to 87 of resolution 61/105 and paragraphs 117 and 119 to 127 of resolution 64/72 on sustainable fisheries, addressing the impacts of bottom fishing on vulnerable marine ecosystems and the long-term sustainability of deep-sea fish stocks, which was held at United Nations Headquarters in New York on 15 and 16 September 2011. Participants are requested to provide any comments on the draft Summary by the close of business on 10 October 2011 (doalos@un.org)

18 August 2011

Document A/66/186 - Report on the work of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea at its twelfth meeting - Letter dated 22 July 2011 from the Co-Chairs of the Consultative Process addressed to the President of the General Assembly
 

15 August 2011

Advance reporting material on actions taken by States and regional fisheries management organizations and arrangements in response to paragraphs 80 and 83 to 87 of General Assembly resolution 61/105 and paragraphs 113 to 117 and 119 to 127 of General Assembly resolution 64/72 on sustainable fisheries, addressing the impacts of bottom fishing on vulnerable marine ecosystems and the long-term sustainability of deep- sea fish stocks (English only version)

• Information on the Workshop on bottom fishing is available here
• Panellists presentations on the Workshop on bottom fishing are available here

27 July 2011

A Special Meeting of States Parties to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea will be held at Headquarters on 11 August 2011 to elect one member of of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf
List of candidates nominated by States Parties has been released

29 June 2011

The report of the Twenty-first Meeting of States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (SPLOS/231)  is now available.

13 June 2011

ICP-12: Document A/66/70 Add.1 - Report of the Secretary-General "Oceans and the law of the sea" has been issued and is now available.
 

31 May 2011

Material prepared by the group of experts for the (regular process for global reporting and assessment of the state of the marine environment, including socio-economic aspects (regular process) now available.

26 May 2011

On 15 May 2011,  Thailand ratified the Convention and acceded to the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI (see more...)

12 May 2011

Workshop to discuss implementation of paragraphs 80 and 83 to 87 of resolution 61/105 and paragraphs 117 and 119 to 127 of resolution 64/72 on sustainable fisheries, addressing the impacts of bottom fishing on vulnerable marine ecosystems and the long-term sustainability of deep sea fish stocks
(New York, 15 to 16 September 2011)

4 April 2011

The General Assembly, at its 84th plenary meeting held on 4 April 2011, adopted the draft resolution A/65/L.65 entitled "Oceans and the law of the sea", as resolution 65/37B.

25 February 2011

Recommendations adopted by the Ad Hoc Working Group of the Whole on 18 February 2011

6 January 2011

The regular process for global reporting and assessment of the state of the marine environment, including socio-economic aspects (regular process) page has been updated

7 December 2010

On 7 December 2010, the General Assembly adopted, by 123 votes in favour, one against and with two delegations abstaining, resolution 65/37 on Oceans and the law of the sea.

On the same day, the General Assembly adopted, without a vote, resolution 65/38 on Sustainable fisheries, including through the 1995 Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, and related instruments.

8 November 2010

Document A/65/69 Add.2 - Report of the Secretary-General "Oceans and the law of the sea" Addendum, has been issued and is now available
 

6 October 2010

A/65/358 - Report on the work of the Ad Hoc Working Group of the Whole on the regular process for global reporting and assessment of the state of the marine environment, including socio-economic aspects Letter dated 7 September 2010 from the Co-Chairs of the Ad Hoc Working Group of the Whole addressed to the President of the General Assembly
 

1 October 2010

On 28 September 2010,  Malawi ratified the Convention and expressed its consent to be bound by the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI (see more...)

23 September 2010

The report of the resumed Review Conference on the United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement, held between 24 to 28 May 2010, is now available in all official languages.

13 August 2010

General Assembly Ad Hoc Working Group of the Whole, 30 August-3 September 2010

- Format
- Provisional Agenda
- Annotated Provisional Agenda
- Information material from the Group of Experts established pursuant to resolution 64/71

14 June 2010

2010 Recipient of the 23rd Hamilton Shirley Amerasinghe Award

14 June 2010

On 14 June 2010, the Chairperson of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf made a presentation on the workload of the Commission to the twentieth Meeting of States Parties.

10 June 2010

Outcome of the resumed Review Conference on the United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement, New York, 24-28 May 2010.

02 June 2010

Document A/65/69 - Report of the Secretary-General "Oceans and the law of the sea", has been issued and is now available

26 May 2010

Document CLCS/66 - Statement by the Chairperson of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf on the progress of work in the Commission at its twenty-fifth session - is now available

6 May 2010

A/AC.259/L.11 - Format and annotated provisional agenda for the eleventh meeting of the Cosnsultative Process is now available

22 April 2010

Resumed Review Conference on the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, is scheduled to be held from 24 to 28 May 2010.

• A/CONF.210/2010/INF/1 Compilation of the recommendations adopted at the Review Conference in 2006 and information on the extent to which the recommendations have been implemented by States and regional fisheries management organizations and arrangements
• Information for participants to the resumed Review Conference (revised)

20 April 2010

A regular process for global reporting and assessment of the state of the marine environment, including socio-economic aspects (regular process) - Group of Experts established pursuant to General Assembly resolution 64/71

13 April 2010

Document A/65/68 - Oceans and the law of the sea - Letter dated 16 march 2010 from the Co-Chairpersons of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Informal Working Group to study issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction - is now available

9 April 2010

Ninth round of Informal Consultations for the United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement (ICSP-9), New York, 16 and 17 March 2010 - Report of the ninth  round of Informal Consultations of States Parties, List of participants to the ninth round of Informal Consultations are now available.

ICSP-9 served primarily as a preparatory meeting for the resumed Review Conference, scheduled to be held from 24 to 28 May 2010. Information for participants to the resumed Review Conference is available here.

8 January 2010

The third meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Informal Working Group to study issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction will be held from 1 to 5 February 2010, in accordance with General Assembly resolution 63/111, paragraph 127, of 5 December 2008, and paragraph 146 of resolution 64/71 of 4 December 2009 (see more ...)
Provisional Agenda has been issued as document A/AC.276/L.3
Draft format and draft annotated provisional agenda and organization of work has been issued as document A/AC.276/L.4

4 December 2009

On 4 December 2009, the General Assembly adopted, by 120 votes against 1 with 3 abstentions,  draft resolution A/64/L.18 and A/64/L.18/Corr.1 on "Oceans and the Law of the Sea" as resolution 64/71, and adopted, without a vote, draft resolution A/64/L.29 on "Sustainable fisheries, including through the 1995 Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, and related instruments" as resolution 64/72. The resolutions are now available.

5 November 2009

On 14 August 2009,  Chad ratified the Convention and expressed its consent to be bound by the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI (see more...)

3 November 2009

Documents A/64/66/Add.1 and A/64/66/Add.2 - Oceans and the law of the sea - Report of the Secretary-General - are now available

2 November 2009

On 2 November 2009, Nigeria acceded to the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (see more...)

30 October 2009

A/64/305: Actions taken by States and regional fisheries management organizations and arrangements to give effect to paragraphs 83 to 90 of General Assembly resolution 61/105 of 8 December 2006 on Sustainable fisheries, including through the 1995 Agreement for  the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, and related instruments - Report of the Secretary-General -is now available

12 October 2009

Pursuant to section V. paragraph 11 (3) of Annex III to the Rules of Procedures of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, the summary of the recommendations of the Commission in regard to submission by France has been made public.

6 October 2009

The report on the work of the Ad Hoc Working Group of the Whole to recommend a course of action to the General Assembly on the regular process for global reporting and assessment of the state of the marine environment, including socio-economic aspects (A/64/347), is now available

6 October 2009

Full texts of contributions from States to the report of the Secretary-General on actions taken by States and regional fisheries management organizations and arrangements to give effect to paragraphs 83 to 90 of General Assembly resolution 61/105 of 8 December 2006 on Sustainable fisheries, including through the 1995 Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, and related instruments

28 September 2009

On 28 September 2009, Indonesia ratified the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (see more...)

20 August 2009

The report of the Nineteenth Meeting of States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (SPLOS/203)  is now available.

13 August 2009

General Assembly Ad Hoc Working Group of the Whole to recommend a course of action to the General Assembly on the regular process for global reporting and assessment of the state of the marine environment, including socio-economic aspects (New York, 31 August - 4 September 2009): Information for participants, format and provisional agenda are now available

3 August 2009

Report on the results of the “Assessment of Assessments” is now available.

10 July 2009

On 10 July 2009, the Dominican Republic ratified the Convention and expressed its consent to be bound by the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI (see more...)

12 June 2009

Report on the results of the “Assessment of Assessments” - Advance and unedited text (English only) is now available.
(Regular process for global reporting and assessment of the state of the marine environment, including socio-economic aspects: the “Assessment of Assessments” - Letters dated 11 May 2009 from the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the United Nations Environment programme addressed to the Secretary-General)

3 June 2009

The tenth meeting of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea will be held at United Nations Headquarters in New York from 17 to 19 June 2009. In its deliberations on the report of the Secretary-General on oceans and the law of the sea, the Consultative Process at its tenth meeting will focus its discussions on the implementation of the outcomes of the Consultative Process, including a review of its achievements and shortcomings in its first nine meetings.

28 May 2009

New: Sources of available assistance for developing States and the needs of developing States for capacity-building and assistance in the conservation and management of straddling fish stocks and highly migratory fish stocks Compilation prepared by the Secretariat (update)

26 May 2009

The Programme for the World Oceans Day (8 June 2009)  has been posted.

14 May 2009

A number of coastal States have made submissions to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf following the "Decision of the eleventh Meeting of States Parties regarding the date of commencement of the 10-year period for making submissions to the Commission set out in article 4 of annex II to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea" (SPLOS/72)  (see more...)

In addition, a number of coastal States have transmitted preliminary information indicative of the outer limits of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles as per the "Decision regarding the workload of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf and the ability of States, particularly developing States, to fulfil the requirements of article 4 of annex II to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, as well as the decision contained in SPLOS/72, paragraph (a)" (SPLOS/183)  (see more...)

1 May 2009

On 1 May 2009, Switzerland ratified the Convention and the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI (see more...)

1 May 2009

A/AC.259/L.10 - Format and annotated provisional agenda for the tenth meeting of the Consultative Process is now available

28 April 2009

A/64/66 - Oceans and Law of the Sea - Report of the Secretary-General is now available

The report provides background information on the topic of focus of the tenth meeting of the Consultative Process. Full texts of contributions from States, United Nations agencies, programmes and bodies as well as other intergovernmental organizations to this report are also available

22 April 2009

Report of the eighth  round of Informal Consultations of States Parties to the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, New York, 16 - 19 March 2009, United Nations, New York, is now available

21 April 2009

New submissions to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf have been received (see more ...)

18 March 2009

Practical suggestions concerning the final preparation and deposit of a submission to the CLCS with the Secretary-General of the United Nations

6 March 2009

The Special Meeting of States Parties to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea was held at Headquarters on 6 March 2009, to elect one member of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, in accordance with article 4 of Annex VI to the Convention (Statute of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea). The Meeting elected Jin-Hyun PAIK (Republic of Korea) as a member of the Tribunal for the remainder of his predecessor’s term which ends on 30 September 2014

2 March 2009

The eighth round of informal consultations of States parties to the United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement (ICSP-8) will be held in New York from 16 to 19 March 2009. Documents have been made available for participants (see more...)

5 February 2009

On 2 February 2009, Tuvalu acceded to the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (see more...)

19 December 2008

On 16 December 2008, Panama acceded to the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (see more...)

19 December 2008

On 10 December 2008, Mozambique acceded to the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (see more...)

5 December 2008

On 5 December 2008, the General Assembly adopted, by 155 votes against 1 with 4 abstentions,  draft resolution A/63/L.42 on "Oceans and the Law of the Sea" as resolution 63/111, and adopted, without a vote, draft resolution A/63/L.43 on "Sustainable fisheries, including through the 1995 Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, and related instruments" as resolution 63/112.

6 November 2008

On 6 November 2008, Slovakia acceded to the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (see more...)

31 October 2008

Document CLCS/60 - Statement by the Chairman of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf on the progress of work in the Commission - Twenty-second session - is available

10 October 2008

The Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS) of the Office of Legal Affairs, United Nations, has developed an interdisciplinary manual on “Developing and Implementing an Ecosystem Approach to the Management of Ocean-related Activities”, which focuses on the development and implementation of an ecosystem approach to the management of human activities and their impacts on the marine environment within a national context, while meeting regional and international obligations. The manual will form a basis for the delivery of a training workshop, organized by DOALOS in the context of the Train-Sea-Coast Programme, and in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme and other partners, to be held in Mombasa, Kenya, from 27 October to 1 November 2008. The objective of the workshop is to provide government officials and managers with the necessary knowledge and skills to develop and implement an ecosystem approach to the management of ocean-related activities. Participants have been invited from the Contracting Parties to the Nairobi Convention (Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa and United Republic of Tanzania).

7 October 2008

Document A/63/342 - Available assistance to and measures that may be taken by developing States, in particular the least developed States and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), as well as coastal African States, to realize the benefits of sustainable and effective development of marine resources and uses of the oceans within the limits of national jurisdiction - Study prepared by the Secretariat - has been issued

3 October 2008

Pursuant to section V. paragraph 11 (3) of Annex III to the Rules of Procedures of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, the summaries of the recommendations of the Commission in regard to submissions by Australia, Ireland and New Zealand have been made public.

25 September 2008

On 25 September 2008, Guyana acceded to the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI (see more...)

25 September 2008

On 25 September 2008, Liberia ratified the Convention and expressed its consent to be bound by the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI (see more...)

28 August 2008

A/63/128 - Sustainable fisheries, including through the 1995 Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, and related instruments - Report of the Secretary-General - is now available

16 July 2008

On 9 July 2008, Congo ratified the Convention and expressed its consent to be bound by the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI (see more...)

24 June 2008

The eighteenth MEETING OF STATES PARTIES TO THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF THE SEA was held at United Nations Headquarters from 13 to 20 June 2008. Follow the link for available documents of the Meeting

23 June 2008

A/63/79 - Letter dated 15 May 2008 from the Co-Chairpersons of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Informal Working Group to study issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction addressed to the President of the General Assembly, containing the Joint Statement of the Co-Chairpersons, is now available

9 June 2008

The Report of the Secretary-General on oceans and the law of the sea to the  63rd session of the General Assembly of the United Nations and the ninth meeting of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea (A/63/63)  is now available.

4 June 2008

On 14 May 2008, Oman acceded to the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (see more...)

21 May 2008

Document CLCS/58 - Statement by the Chairman of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf on the progress of work in the Commission - Twenty-first session - is now available.

16 May 2008

On 16 May 2008, Hungary acceded to the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (see more...)

15 May 2008

Document CLCS/40/Rev.1, which contains the latest version of the Rules of Procedure of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, embodying amendments and additions adopted by the Commission as at 11 April 2008, is now available.

9 May 2008

On 23 April 2008 Cabo Verde ratified the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI (see more...)

2 May 2008

United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea : Format and annotated provisional agenda for the ninth meeting of the Consultative Process

9 April 2008

Resolution 62/215 on Oceans and the Law of the Sea has been issued. (See also Report of the Fifth Committee (A/62/617))

26 March 2008

On 26 March 2008, Palau acceded to the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (see more...)

26 March 2008

Resolution 62/177 on "Sustainable fisheries, including through the 1995 Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, and related instruments" has been issued.

25 March 2008

Ad hoc open-ended informal working group to study issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological biodiversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction (New York, 28 April - 2 May 2008)

3 March 2008

Preparatory Meeting of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea will be held on 18 March 2008 in Conference Room 1. In accordance with the established practice, the meeting will be open to all States Members of the United Nations,  all parties to the Convention, and entities that have received a standing invitation to participate as observers in the work of the General Assembly pursuant to its relevant resolutions.

28 February 2008

On 3 March 2008, DOALOS and UNITAR will hold a joint briefing on "Developments in Ocean Affairs and Law of the Sea: Marine Biological Diversity beyond Areas under National Jurisdiction" in connection with the second meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Informal Working Group to study issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction. The briefing will be held in Conference Room A of the United Nations Secretariat Building from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information see: http://www.unitarny.org/en/doalos.html.

1 February 2008

On 1 February 2008, the Republic of Korea ratified the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (see more...)

31 January 2008

On  9 January 2008, Austria nominated conciliators and arbitrator under article 2 of annex V and article 2 of annex VII to the Convention (see more...)

31 January 2008

On 30 January 2008, the Special Meeting of States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea elected Mr. Gao, Zhiguo (China) as member of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.

2007 - Materials related to twenty-fifth anniversary of the opening for signature of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982

30 October 2007

Report of the Secretary-General on oceans and the law of the sea (document A/62/66/Add.1) is now available.
Report of the Secretary-General on sustainable fisheries, including through the 1995 Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, and related instruments (document A/62/260) is now available.

25 October 2007

On 25 October 2007, Brazil ratified the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI (see more...)

17 October 2007

Trinidad and Tobago  makes a declaration under articles 287of UNCLOS  (see more...)

4 October 2007

25th Anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea: Information on the Events Organized by the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea  - 17 October 2007

7 September 2007

Eighth meeting of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea:
Report on the work of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea at its eighth meeting has been issued - A/62/169

27 August 2007

On 27 August 2007, at its twentieth session, the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf elected Mr. Alexandre Tagore Medeiros de Albuquerque as Chairman of the Commission, and Messrs.  Lawrence Folajimi Awosika, Harald Brekke, Yuri Borisovitch Kazmin, and Yong-Ahn Park as Vice-Chairmen of the Commission.

7 August 2007

On 7 August 2007, Uruguay ratified the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI (see more...)

7 August 2007

The seventeenth MEETING OF STATES PARTIES TO THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF THE SEA was held at United Nations Headquarters on 14 June and from 18 to 22 June 2007.
The Report of the seventeenth Meeting of States Parties has been issued as document SPLOS/164. Link to the documents of the Meeting.

16 July 2007

On 16 July 2007, Romania acceded to the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (see more...)

8 June 2007

United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea, Eighth meeting, 25-29 June 2007:
Additional information is available.

1 June 2007

On 31 May 2007, Lesotho ratified the Convention and expressed its consent to be bound by the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI (see more...)

31 May 2007

On 31 May 2007, Morocco ratified the Convention and the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI (see more...)

30 May 2007

Report of the Secretary-General on oceans and the law of the sea (document A/62/66) is now available.

30 May 2007

Report of the sixth Informal Consultations of States Parties to the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, 23 to 24 April 2007, United Nations, New York is now available, together with the list of participants.

11 May 2007

United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea, Eighth meeting, 25-29 June 2007:
Format and annotated provisional agenda (document A/AC.259/L.8) has been issued

1 March 2007

On 1 March 2007, Lithuania acceded to the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (see more...)

23 February 2007

On 23 February 2007, Cyprus nominated an conciliator and arbitrator under article 2 of annex V and article 2 of annex VII to the Convention (see more...)

6 February 2007

On 6 February 2007, Moldova acceded to the Convention and expressed its consent to be bound by the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI (see more...)

5 February 2007

On 5 February 2007, Latvia acceded to the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (see more...)

20 December 2006

On 20 December 2006, the General Assembly adopted the Draft resolution (A/61/L.30) on "Oceans and the law of the sea" as resolution 61/222.

11 December 2006

On 8 December 2006, the General Assembly adopted the Draft resolution (A/61/L.38*) on "Sustainable fisheries, including through the 1995 Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, and related instruments" as resolution 61/105.

7 November 2006

Addendum to the Report of the Secretary-General on Oceans and the law of the sea - document A/61/63/Add.1 - is now available.

7 November 2006

Note by the Secretary-General transmitting the Letter dated 23 June 2006 from the secretary-general of the International Maritime Organization addressed to the Secretary-General - document A/61/160 - is now available.

7 November 2006

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): new training course on the “Development, Implementation, and Management of Marine Protected Areas"

29 September 2006

"Report of the Review Conference on the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (New York, 22 to 26 May 2006), prepared by the President of the Conference with the assistance of the Secretariat." (A/CONF.210/2006/15)

11 September 2006

"The Impacts of Fishing on Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems: Actions taken by States and regional fisheries management organizations and arrangements to give effect to paragraphs 66 to 69 of General Assembly resolution 59/25 on sustainable fisheries, regarding the impacts of fishing on vulnerable marine ecosystems" - report of the Secretary-General - has been issued

28 August 2006

Document SPLOS/148 - Report of the sixteenth Meeting of States Parties has been issued

23 August 2006

Report on the work of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea at its seventh meeting and the Presentations in the Discussion Panel on Ecosystem approaches and oceans are now available

7 August 2006

On 7 August 2006, Estonia acceded to and Japan ratified the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (see more...)

15 June 2006

On 15 June 2006, Slovenia acceded to the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (see more...)

6 June 2006

Document CLCS/50 - Statement by the Chairman of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf on the progress of work in the Commission - Seventeenth session is now available. The Statement which contains, among other, information on actions taken by the Commission with regard to the Rules of Procedure of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, as well as a draft decision for consideration by the sixteenth Meeting of States Parties.

11 May 2006

A/61/65 - Report of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Informal Working Group to study issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction has been issued

8 May 2006

Seventh meeting of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea (12 to 16 June 2006):
Report of the Secretary-General on oceans and the law of the sea to the 61st session of the General Assembly has been issued (A/61/63)

28 April 2006

Seventh meeting of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea (12 to 16 June 2006):
Format and annotated provisional agenda (A/AC.259/L.7)

27 April 2006

Viet Nam accedes to the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI (see more...)

25 April 2006

Report of the fifth Informal Consultations of States Parties to the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, 20 to 24 March 2006, United Nations, New York

13 April 2006

Review Conference on the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (New York, 22 to 26 May 2006): submission of information and views.

14 March 2006

On 14 March 2006, Poland acceded to the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (see more...)

17 February 2006

The report submitted in accordance with paragraph 17 of General Assembly resolution 59/25 of 17 November 2004, to assist the Review Conference to implement its mandate under paragraph 2, article 36 of the United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement - Report of the Secretary-General - is now available

23 January 2006

Ad Hoc Open-ended Informal Working Group to study issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction
The format, provisional agenda and the proposed organization of work for the meeting of the Working Group, as circulated by the Co-Chairpersons is now available

29 November 2005

On 29 November 2005, draft resolution A/60/L.22 (Oceans and the Law of the Sea) was adopted by the General Assembly as resolution 60/30, and
 draft resolution A/60/L.23 (Sustainable fisheries, including through the 1995 Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, and related instruments)  was adopted by the General Assembly as resolution 60/31.

31 October 2005

Report of the Secretary-General on  Sustainable fisheries, including through the 1995 Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, and related instruments is now available

31 October 2005

Addendum 1 and addendum 2 to the Report of the Secretary-General on Oceans and the law of the sea are now available

16 September 2005

Guinea and Liberia accede to the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (see more...)

15 September 2005

Kiribati accedes to the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (see more...)

14 September 2005

A/60/91 - Regular process for global reporting and assessment of the state of the marine environment, including socio-economic aspects: Second International Workshop - Report of the Secretary-General

26 August 2005

Estonia accedes to the Convention and to the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI (see more...)

9 August 2005

Document A/60/99 - Report on the work of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea at its sixth meeting has been issued

18 July 2005

Report of the Fourth Informal Meeting of States Parties to the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, 31 May to 3 June 2005, United Nations, New York

14 July 2005

Belize ratifies the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (see more...)

24 May 2005

Document SPLOS/124/Add.2 - Election of seven members of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea -List of candidates nominated by States Parties: withdrawal of a candidate (Note by the Registrar of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea) - Addendum has been issued (see more...)

4 May 2005

Document SPLOS/124/Add.1 - Election of seven members of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea -List of candidates nominated by States Parties: withdrawal of a candidate (Note by the Registrar of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea) - Addendum has been issued (see more...)

27 April 2005

Document SPLOS/126 -"Election of seven members of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea - Note by the Registrar of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea on the election procedures " has been issued (see more...)

21 April 2005

The sixth meeting of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea will take place at United Nations Headquarters in New York from 6 to 10 June 2005.  The format and annotated provisional agenda for the sixth meeting of the Consultative Process is now available.

19 April 2005

Report of the Secretary-General on oceans and the law of the sea (document A/60/63) is now available

12 April 2005

UPDATE YOUR BOOKMARKS FOR TECHNICAL COOPERATION TRUST FUND AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UNITED NATIONS AND THE NIPPON FOUNDATION OF JAPAN: Human Resources Development and Advancement of the Legal Order of the World's Oceans - Information and applications forms.

31 March 2005

Document SPLOS/124 -"Election of seven members of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea: Lists of candidates nominated by States Parties (Note by the Registrar of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea) " has been issued (see more...)

15 March 2005

Final texts of resolution A/59/24 on "Oceans and the law of the sea" and resolution A/59/25 on "Sustainable fisheries, including through the 1995 Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, and related instruments", have been issued (see more)

25 February 2005

On 22 February 2005, Mongolia nominated two arbitrators under article 2 of annex VII to the Convention (see more...)

31 January 2005

Botswana accedes to the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI (see more...)

25 January 2005

Burkina Faso ratifies the Convention and expresses its consent to be bound by the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI (see more...)

23 December 2004

Latvia accedes to the Convention and to the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI (see more...)

19 November 2004

On 17 November 2004, Trinidad and Tobago nominated an arbitrator  under article 2 of annex VII to the Convention (see more...)

16 November 2004

Denmark ratified the Convention and the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI (see more...)

11 November 2004

Addendum to the Report of the Secretary-General on oceans and the law of the sea (document A/59/62/Add.1) is now available

11 November 2004

Report of the Secretary-General on Sustainable fisheries, including through the 1995 Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, and related instruments (document A/59/298) is now available

11 November 2004

Statement by the Chairman of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf on the progress of work in the Commission at its fourteenth session (document CLCS/42) is now available

7 October 2004

ASSISTANCE FUND UNDER PART VII OF THE AGREEMENT FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF THE SEA OF 10 DECEMBER 1982 RELATING TO THE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF STRADDLING FISH STOCKS AND HIGHLY MIGRATORY FISH STOCKS

30 September 2004

DOALOS/UNITAR briefing on developments in ocean affairs and the law of the sea, 2 - 14 October 2004, United Nations Headquarters, New York
The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS) of the Office of Legal Affairs are jointly conducting a briefing on developments in ocean affairs and the law of the sea. The briefing, to be conducted in English, will be held at United Nations Headquarters on  Tuesday, 12 October 2004, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 3 to 6 p.m., and on Wednesday and Thursday, 13 and 14 October, from 3 to 6 p.m. The briefing is intended for all delegates from Permanent Missions accredited to the United Nations in New York, in particular those interested in the field of oceans and the law of the sea.

A letter on this subject, including an information note, a tentative programme and a nomination form, was addressed to all the Permanent Missions. The registration deadline is Wednesday, 6 October. For further information, please contact UNITAR (room DC1- 603; tel. 1 (212) 963-9196) or DOALOS (tel. 1 (212) 963-1894).

24 September 2004

Document SPLOS/119 - Report of the fourteenth Meeting of States Parties (14-18 June 2004) - has been issued.

1 September  2004

United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the  Law of the Sea: Fifth Meeting,  7-11 June 2004
A/59/122 - Report on the work of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea at its fifth meeting is available

19 August 2004

Report of the Third Informal Meeting of the States Parties to the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, 8-9 July 2004, United Nations, New York

3 August 2004

Report of the Secretary General -  A/59/126 - A regular process for the global reporting and assessment of the state of the marine environment, including socio-economic aspects: Global Marine Assessment International Workshop has been issued

30 July 2004

Document CLCS/40 which contains the latest version of the Rules of Procedure of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, as well as the Modus Operandi and the Internal procedure of the subcommission of the Commission has been issued.
  This document embodies amendments and additions of these documents adopted by the Commission up to 30 April 2004. Annexes I and II of the Rules of Procedure were adopted by the Commission at its fourth session, held from 31 August to 4 September 1998. Annex III was adopted by the Commission at its thirteenth session, held from 26 to 30 April 2004, and replaced the Modus Operandi of the Commission (CLCS/L.3 – 12 September 1997) and the Internal procedure of the subcommission of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS/L.12 – 25 May 2002). Consequently, these Rules and their annexes supersede and replace documents CLCS/L.3 (12 September 1997) and CLCS/L.12 (25 May 2002) as well as all previously issued documents containing the Rules of Procedure of the Commission and their revisions or corrections (documents CLCS/3 (12 September 1997), CLCS/3/Corr.1 (27 April 1998), CLCS/3/Rev.1 (14 May 1998), CLCS/3/Rev.2 (4 September 1998), CLCS/3/Rev.2/Corr.1 (28 March 2000), CLCS/3/Rev.3 (6 February 2001), CLCS/3/Rev.3/Corr.1 (22 May 2001)).

13 July 2004

Kenya accedes to the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (see more...)

9 July 2004

On 9 July 2004, Slovakia nominated conciliators and arbitrators  under article 2 of annexes V and VII to the Convention (see more...)

2 July 2004

Decisions relating to budgetary matters of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea adopted by the fourteenth Meeting of States Parties to the Convention have been issued

2 June 2004

UNITED NATIONS OPEN-ENDED INFORMAL CONSULTATIVE PROCESS ON OCEANS AND THE LAW OF THE SEA: Document A/AC.259/11 -- Strengthening of flag State implementation (Submitted by the Secretariat of the International Maritime Organization (IMO)) - has been issued

2 June 2004

Document A/59/63 - Oceans and the law of the sea: Consultative Group on Flag State Implementation is now available

26 May 2004

UNITED NATIONS OPEN-ENDED INFORMAL CONSULTATIVE PROCESS ON OCEANS AND THE LAW OF THE SEA: Report of the Secretary-General on oceans and the law of the sea (A/59/62) has been issued in all languages

25 May 2004

Provisional Agenda of the third round of the informal consultations of the States Parties  to The Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement)  8-9 July 2004, United Nations, New York

18 May 2004

On 14 May 2004, Poland nominated conciliators and arbitrators  under article 2 of annexes V and VII to the Convention (see more...)

12 May 2004

A regular process for the global reporting and assessment of the state of the marine environment, including socio-economic aspects (GMA)
A/AC.271/WP.1 - Draft document prepared by the group of experts

25 February 2004

QUESTIONNAIRE FOR Soliciting information requested in United Nations General Assembly Resolution 58/14 on Sustainable fisheries, including through the 1995 Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, and related instruments - Questionnaire addressed to States, IGOs, RFMOs and NGOs

19 December 2003

On 19 December 2003, by depositing their respective instruments with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the European Community and its 15 member States expressed their final consent to be bound by the 1995 Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (see more about the Agreement)
Note: The pages and tables containing declarations and  information on the status of the instrument will be updated in due course.

13 November 2003

On 12 November 2003, Lithuania acceded to the Convention and to  the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI (see more...)

7 November 2003

Canada ratifies the Convention and  the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI (see more...)

2 September 2003

Mr. Anthony Amos Lucky (Trinidad and Tobago) elected as new member of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea

19 August 2003

India accedes to the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (see more...)

14 August 2003

South Africa accedes to the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (see more...)

28 July 2003

Honduras accedes to the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI (see more...)

23 June 2003

Albania accedes to the Convention and expresses its consent to be bound by  the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI (see more...)

20 June 2003

The compilation of a directory of sources of training, advice and expertise and technological services, including relevant institutions and other sources of technical information and practice, pursuant to paragraph 40 of resolution 57/141 is now available

3 June 2003

2003 G8 summit endorsed an Action Plan on Marine environment and tanker safety. to reduce the threat posed by excessive exploitation of marine resources and to enhance maritime security. It also committed to the ratification or acceding to and implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the overall legal framework for oceans (see more...) | Texte en français | G8 summit site

30 May 2003

Due to the death of Judge Ballah, a vacancy has occurred in the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. The election to fill the vacancy will be held on 2 September 2003 at a Special Meeting of States Parties convened for that purpose.

12 May 2003

The Ocean and Law of the Sea web site has been updated and offers the full text of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in the six official languages of the Organization, as well as the text of the Final Act of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea.

10 April 2003

Mexico accedes to the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI (see more...)

7 April 2003

United Kingdom makes declarations under article 298 (see more...)

1 April 2003

The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea announced the death in Trinidad, on 29 March 2003, of Mr. Lennox Fitzroy Ballah. Mr. Ballah had been a Member of the Tribunal since April 2002. His term of office was due to expire in September 2011. (ITLOS/Press 76)

19 March 2003

Marshall Islands ratifies the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (see more...)

27 February 2003

Ukraine ratifies the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (see more...)

24 February 2003

Kiribati deposited its instrument of accession to the Convention and expressed its consent to be bound by the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI (see more...)

10 January 2003

Official records of the General Assembly discussions under the agenda item: Oceans and the law of the sea are now available in pdf format in all official languages of the Organization

6 January 2003

Mexico makes declarations under articles 287 and 298 (see more...)

27 December 2002

Law of the Sea Bulletins - past issues (which are not United Nations sales publications) are now available in pdf format in English, French and Spanish

23 December 2002

Seventeenth Law of the Sea Fellowship Awarded: NEW YORK, 23 December (Office of Legal Affairs) -- The Legal Counsel of the United Nations has made two awards under the Hamilton Shirley Amerasinghe Memorial Fellowship on the Law of the Sea. The regular seventeenth award was made to Maria Cristina Pereira of Cabo Verde and a second, funded by a special grant from the United Kingdom, was made to Javier Plata González of Colombia. The awards were made on the recommendation of the High-Level Advisory Panel composed of eminent persons in international relations and in the law of the sea and its implementation. For details see Press Release SEA/1766

2002 - Materials related to the twentieth anniversary of the opening for signature of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 - Oceans: The source of life (2002)

9 December 2002

Commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of the Opening for Signature of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea - Fifty-seventh session of the General Assembly, 9 - 10 December 2002

9 December 2002

On the occasion of 20th anniversary of the Convention, Armenia, Qatar and Tuvalu deposited their instruments of ratification/accession to the Convention and expressed their consent to be bound by the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI. Madagascar deposited the charts and lists of coordinates of points.

17 October 2002

Cuba accedes to the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI (see more...)

25 September 2002

Cyprus accedes to the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (see more...)

28 August 2002

28 August 2002 Cameroon ratifies the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI (see more...)

2 August 2002 - Kuwait accedes to the the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI (see more...)

6 August 2002

The Ocean and Law of the Sea web site has been updated and offers most of the official documents in all six official languages of the Organization.

2 August 2002

Sri Lanka nominates an arbitrator and conciliator (see more...)

19 July 2002

Spain makes declarations under articles 287 and 298 (see more...)

18 June 2002

Honduras made a declaration pursuant to article 287 of the Convention (see more...)

5 June 2002

UN ATLAS OF THE OCEANS - an Internet portal containing a wealth of information relevant to the sustainable development of the oceans has been launched.

30 May 2002

On 30 May 2002, Netherlands nominated an arbitrator under article 2 of annex VII to the Convention (see more...)

29 May 2002

On 24 May 2002, Tunisia ratifies the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI (see more...)

21 March 2002

Australia made a declaration in relation to articles 287 and 298 of the Convention (see more...)

21 March 2002

On 7 February 2002, Spain nominated conciliators and arbitrators  under article 2 of annexes V and VII to the Convention (see more...)

27 February 2002

1982-2002: 20 YEARS OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF THE SEA
In connection with the 20th anniversary of the Convention, the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, Office of Legal Affairs circulated a questionnaire to all States (see more...)

20 February 2002

Equatorial Guinea made a declaration pursuant to article 298 of the Convention (see more...)

5 February 2002

Hungary ratifies the Convention and accedes to the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI (see more...)

14 December 2001

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland takes action with respect to the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (see more...)

11 December 2001

The Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks entered into force on 11 December 2001, i.e., 30 days after the date of deposit of the thirtieth instrument of ratification or accession, in accordance with article 40 (1) of the Agreement. (On 11 November 2001, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Malta deposited an instrument of accession to the Agreement. The instrument was the thirtieth instrument of ratification or accession to be deposited with the Secretary-General.)

3 December 2001

The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea today delivered its Order in the MOX Plant Case, Provisional Measures, (Ireland v. United Kingdom). See ITLOS Web site: http://www.itlos.org/

3 December 2001

On 30 November 2001, the conditions for the entry into force of the Agreement on the Privileges and Immunities of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, adopted on 23 May 1997, were met with the deposit of the instrument of accession by Saudi Arabia. The Agreement will enter into force 30 days after the date of deposit of the tenth instrument of ratification or accession, in accordance with its article 30, i.e., on 30 December 2001. (see more...)

28 November 2001

The General Assembly completed its consideration of agenda item 30 "Oceans and the Law of the Sea" and adopted the draft resolution entitled "Oceans and the Law of the Sea" (document A/56/L.17) as resolution 56/12 and the draft resolution entitled "Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks" (document A/56/L.18) as resolution 56/13. (see more...). 

18 October 2001

First five years of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (see ITLOS/Press 58)

21 September 2001

The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea elects Mr. Philippe Gautier, of Belgian nationality, as the Registrar of the Tribunal. He succeeds Mr. Gritakumar E. Chitty, of Sri Lankan nationality, who resigned on 30 June 2001.(ITLOS/Press 56)

21 September 2001

Rules of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea amended: Terms of office of Registrar and Deputy Registrar fixed at five years (ITLOS/Press 55)

20 September 2001

Costa Rica accedes to the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI (see more...)

18 September 2001

Swearing in of Judge Xu Guaingjian
Presentation of gift to the Tribunal by the Consul General of China (ITLOS/Press 54)

12 September 2001

The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea announced the death, in Belize, on 11 September 2001, of Mr. Edward A. Laing. Mr. Laing had been a Member of the Tribunal since October 1996; his term of office was due to expire in September 2002 (ITLOS/Press 53)

11 September 2001

Secretary-General Kofi Annan condemned the terrorist attacks on key targets in the United States, and stressed that no just cause could be advanced by terror. He expressed condolences to the victims and their families, as well as to the whole people and Government of the United States

10 September 2001

Brazil nominates an arbitrator and conciliator (see more...)

22 August 2001

Madagascar ratifies the Convention and consents to be bound by the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI following the ratification of the Convention (see more...)

27 July 2001

Bangladesh ratifies the Convention and accedes to the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI (see more...)

18 June 2001

Costa Rica accedes to the 1995 United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement (see more...)

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