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The Classics

PHOTO FLASHBACK: Signing of the Law of the Sea Convention, December 1982

Published:Friday | December 17, 2021 | 5:24 AMA Digital Integration & Marketing production
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Pakistan had the distinction of being the first country to sign the Law of the Sea Convention. Performing the historic act is Mansur Ahmad, permanent representative to the United Nations in Europe, supported by his colleague delegate, Inam UI Haque (right), director-general in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad. Kuma Chitty of the UN Secretariat looks on.
Mrs V.M. Tan, Lesotho’s ambassador to the United Nations, signs the final act of the third UN Law of the Sea conference in Montego Bay in December 1982. Bernado Zuleta (right), UN special representative of the secretary-general, and Kumar Chitty of the UN Secretariat look on.
Jamaica’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Hugh Shearer (left) poses with some of the officials to the third conference on the Law of the Sea (LOS). Others are (from second left) Paul Engo, committee member of LOS; Dr Ken Rattray, rapporteur general; Tommy Koh, president of the third Law of the Sea conference; and Bernardo Zuleta, special representative of the secretary-general of the United Nations.
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Representatives of 119 states on December 10, 1982, put their signatures to the United Nations Law of the Sea Convention, and by so doing, prepared the way for the work of the Preparatory Commission to begin work by March 1983, and later, for the establishment of the International Seabed Authority when the convention is ratified by at least 50 states.

Only 60 signatures were necessary to approve the convention and for the commencement of the work of the Preparatory Commission, which was established by resolution. The fact that nearly 120 states signed was regarded as a signal triumph for Jamaica.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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