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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.

The European Union and its Member States reiterate their strong commitment to UNCLOS as the overarching legal framework within which all activities in the ocean and seas must be carried out. We acknowledge its vital role in maintaining peace, security, and cooperation among nations, while ensuring the conservation and sustainable use of ocean resources.

We stand firmly behind the principles enshrined in the Convention, promoting the rule of law within the international maritime domain.

The EU and its Member States are dedicated to upholding the integrity of maritime boundaries, securing navigational freedoms, and contributing to the sustainable management of marine resources. It is our strong belief that these efforts are fundamental to addressing global challenges, such as climate change, marine biodiversity loss, and ocean pollution, to name a few.

In this context and bearing in mind this year’s topic for the UN Informal Consultative Process on ocean and the law of the sea, we would like to emphasise the importance of capacity-building and voluntary technology transfer to support the implementation of UNCLOS for all States, especially developing countries. 

We remain committed to reinforcing international cooperation and dialogue, ensuring inclusive participation of all stakeholders, including civil society and the scientific community, in ocean governance.

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 commend ITLOS for its ongoing work and encourage continued engagement with all parties to ensure and uphold the integrity of the Convention.

Over its 29 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. 

We also take note of the current composition of the Seabed Dispute Chamber, the Special Chambers and Committees and praise the re-election of Ximena Hinrichs Oyarce as registrar of the Tribunal.

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 2024.

We greatly appreciate the judicial, legal, and administrative work of the Tribunal. The judicial activity of the Tribunal stands as proof, once again, of the ever-increasing significance of its role for the peaceful settlement of disputes and the law of the sea jurisprudence. 

The European Union and its Members States remain strongly committed to promoting the peaceful resolution of disputes among States.

The 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, organisations 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. 

It is an expression of trust in the Tribunal’s work and competence that the BBNJ Agreement, which has already been signed by 136 States, and ratified by 51 States, also includes a provision under which the Conference of the Parties may request the Tribunal to give an advisory opinion on a legal question regarding the conformity with the BBNJ Agreement. 

Finally, we would also like to express our appreciation to the Tribunal for holding capacity-building activities, such as regional workshops, training, and seminars, which add 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.