In a historic event at the Jamaica Conference Centre, Kingston, UN Secretary-General Dr Boutros Boutros-Ghali officially opened the International Seabed Authority. This brought into effect  the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, a comprehensive legal framework for governing ocean use and resource exploitation. Dr Boutros-Ghali emphasised the convention’s role in fostering international cooperation, preventing conflict, and supporting development, particularly in resource exploration, fishing, and environmental protection.

Published Thursday,November 17, 1994 

Historic Seabed meeting kicks off

WITH Jamaica’s National Anthem beautifully rendered by a children’s choir, Curtis Watson and Freddie McGregor, United Nations Secretary-General Mr Boutros Boutros-Ghali yesterday declared open the International Seabed Authority and called to order the historic inaugural meeting of the body that will oversee the governance of the international seabed.

The meeting, held at the Jamaica Conference Centre, Kingston, marks the entry into effect of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea after 12 years of preparation. The comprehensive legal regime governing all ocean uses and the exploitation of the ocean resources is embodied in the UN Convention on the Law of Sea, signed by 150 countries and already ratified by 68 countries, including some industrialised ones.

Dr Boutros-Ghali said the Law of the Sea Convention demonstrates what can be achieved when mutual support and respect provide the basis for relations among nations.

“The regime established, and the mechanism for dispute resolution that are created, are an important contribution to preventing conflict, and promoting international peace and security,” he told the delegates.

The secretary-general said the convention is a particularly important asset for development. From navigation and overflights to resource exploration and exploitation, to conversation and pollution, fishing and shipping – the convention, he said, provides a focal point for international action in the service of development.

“The Convention on the Law of the Sea must also be seen, and appreciated, in a wider context.  For the first time in 50 years, there is now a genuine opportunity for international cooperation to make respect for the principles of international law a meaningful reality,” said Dr Boutros-Ghali.

Historically, except for a narrow belt of sea surrounding the coastlines of each country, the seas and its treasures belonged to no one.  But, by the 20th century, tensions were caused by coastal nations claiming legal control of wide areas of the ocean, and the three-mile limit was extended for first six and then 12 miles.

The first UN Conference of the Law of the Sea was held in Geneva in 1958, nine years later, the UN General Assembly decided that technological and other changes in the world required the international community to address the matter of laws governing the seas beyond national jurisdiction.

The convention looks at issues related to redistribution of ocean space, management to prevent exploitation, new forms of international cooperation in science and industry, and a binding international system, peaceful settlement of disputes regarding access to the resources of the marine environment.
 

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