EU Statement – 34th Meeting of States Parties to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea: Report of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea
Madam/Mister President,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.
We would like to start by congratulating you on your election, as well as the new members of the Bureau. I would like to assure you of our full cooperation throughout this session.
We would also like to convey our heartfelt condolences to the family and colleagues of Judge Tafsir Malick Ndiaye, whose knowledge and expertise added value to the work of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea over the period of 24 years, having been among the first judges elected to the Tribunal, with two additional re-elections.
Madam/Mister President
The European Union and its Member States would also like to convey their continued support to the work of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, a body endowed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea with crucial functions for the peaceful settlement of disputes in regard to the interpretation and application of the Convention. We consider that the Tribunal has contributed greatly to the development of jurisprudence related to the law of the sea and to the preservation of peaceful relations among States, which is one of the main aims of the United Nations and multilateralism.
We would also like to congratulate Judge Heidar on the re-election to the Tribunal during the previous meeting of States Parties and Judges Frida María Armas Pfirter, Hidehisa Horinouchi, Thembile Elphus Joyini, Osman Keh Kamara, Konrad Jan Marciniak and Zha Hyoung Rhee for their election. We take note that their terms of office have started since early October 2023.
In addition, we would like to commend President Heidar and Vice president Chadha on their new office.
We also take note of the current composition of the Seabed Dispute Chamber, the Special Chambers and Committees.
Over its 28 years of functioning in support of the Convention, the Tribunal has been seized with different issues related to maritime disputes. It has always served the international community with distinction, by interpreting and applying our Constitution of the Oceans – the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Consequently, allow me to reiterate that the European Union and its Member States firmly stand by the Tribunal, as a pillar for the dispute settlement architecture set forth under UNCLOS. We commend its enduring efforts, ever since its establishment in 1996, to contribute, not only to friendly relations between nations, but also to serve the purpose of peace, security and rule of law.
Madam/Mister President,
The European Union and its Member States are thankful to the President and the Registrar of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea for the detailed annual report on the Tribunal’s activity. As usual, the report contains comprehensive and well-structured information on the overall activity of the Tribunal as well as a thorough description of its work during 2023.
While we are aware that the report summarizes the Tribunal’s activities in 2023, the very recent issuance of the Tribunal’s Advisory Opinion in response to the request by the Commission of Small Island States on Climate Change and International Law should not go unmentioned in our discussion. The case raised a lot of interest and a record number of States Parties to UNCLOS, organizations and other stakeholders submitted their views on the questions put to the Tribunal. The European Union and several of its Member States were also among those participating in the proceedings.
Like others, the European Union and its Member States are now studying the Advisory Opinion in more detail with great interest.
We would also like to express our appreciation to the Tribunal for holding capacity-building activities, which contribute to the enhancement of dispute settlement capabilities, in particular of developing countries.
Madam/Mister President,
The European Union and its Member States would like to reiterate their commitment to promote the Tribunal’s authority within the framework of its mandate under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. We also encourage States to make their contributions on time, as it is instrumental in the smooth operation of the Tribunal as a major pillar for the peaceful dispute settlement system and the rule of law.
Thank you, Madam/Mister President.