Remarks by the President of the General Assembly,??Mr. Dennis Francis,
to the General Assembly Plenary Meeting on Oceans and the Law of the Sea
5 December 2023
Video link:?
[As Delivered]
Excellencies,???
Ladies?and Gentlemen,??
If properly nurtured and managed?¨C?the boundless expanses of our oceans and seas ¨C?is the lifeblood sustaining our collective existence.?
And?the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the so-called Constitution of the Seas, serves as the unwavering compass guiding our efforts towards sustainable and equitable?use?of the oceans.??
In?the delicate balance of the Convention on the Law of the Sea, lies the nexus between sovereignty and the freedom of navigation, without which global value chains would be broken and international trade frozen. ?
Integral to this intricate equilibrium is the fact that, as sovereign countries we?must recognize the pre-eminent contribution made?by the Convention to the strengthening of international peace?and?security, cooperation,?and?development, while promoting?harmonious?relations among all nations. ?
However, rising sea-levels pose a real threat to?the?very existence?of many nations?¨C forcing?us to now?grapple with profound legal and other questions related to sovereignty and statehood in the face of this existential threat.?
Questions we must place front?and centre of all our discussions?on oceans. ?
Excellencies,?
The Convention also beckons?us to a shared responsibility, urging a collective commitment to the adoption of effective resource management strategies. ?
Our obligation is clear ¨C we must?use the resources of the oceans in a sustainable manner?thereby, preserving them as a legacy to sustain?future generations.??
The recent conclusion of the treaty under Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵCLOS?¨C dedicated?to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond national jurisdiction?¨C?marks?a pivotal step.?
It reflects?our shared commitment to safeguarding the ecosystem?resources that lie beyond our immediate maritime borders, as ¡°common heritage of mankind¡±.??
Doing so demands scrupulous adherence to international law and indeed to the strengthening of international cooperation. ?
Let me close by urging all nations to use these deliberations to demonstrate?the importance of unity?in addressing the emerging challenges that threaten the very fabric of our oceans, and indeed of our nations. ?
Through meaningful collaboration, we can?also?successfully navigate the stormy seas of climate change and foster a future where our oceans remain?sources and vectors?of peace, prosperity, progress,?and sustainability.?
Let us,?therefore,?firmly exercise our right of decision, and choose to stand united, in the face of uncertainty, charting?a course towards a horizon where our oceans ¨C the very essence of life on this planet ¨C thrive sustainably and in harmony,?as part of our nature.?
I thank you.??