Verdenshavene er blandt menneskehedens kosteligste ressourcer, mener FNs generalsekretær, der foreslår en global overenskomst om at beskytte dem, et panel på højt niveau og at alle folkeretligt tilslutter sig havretskonventionen.
SEOUL, 12 August 2012: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Sunday launched a new initiative to protect the oceans and the people whose livelihoods depend on it, and called on countries to work together to achieve a more sustainable management of this precious resource and address the threats it is currently facing.
“The seas and oceans host some of the most vulnerable and important ecosystems on Earth, but the diversity of life they host is under ever-increasing strain,” Mr. Ban said in the city of Yeosu in South Korea, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the opening for signature of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (Havretskonventionen).
The Convention, also known as the “constitution of the oceans,” governs all aspects of ocean space, from delimitation of maritime boundaries, environmental regulations, scientific research, commerce and the settlement of international disputes involving marine issues.
It was first opened for signature in 1982 and entered into force in 1994; there are 162 parties to it – 161 States and the European Union.
“It is 30 years since the Convention was opened for signature, yet it has not been ratified (folkeretligt bindende undertegnet) by all who have signed it. Just as the oceans span our blue planet, let us make it our goal to bring all nations under the jurisdiction, protection and guidance of this essential treaty”, Ban noted.
“Among its principles, the Law of the Sea recognizes that all ocean issues are related and that they need to be addressed as a whole,” Mr. Ban said, adding that this is in line with the development framework put forward at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in June in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
However, Mr. Ban also emphasized the need to address multiple issues that threaten the marine environment. To do this, he announced the launch of the Oceans Compact (overenskomst/pagt), which will seek to support and strengthen the implementation of the Law of the Sea.
The Compact, Mr. Ban added, will provide a platform to help countries protect the ocean’s natural resources, restore their full food production to help people’s whose livelihoods depend on the sea, and increase awareness and knowledge about the management of the oceans.
To achieve the objectives of the Compact, Mr. Ban proposed a results-oriented Action Plan along with the creation of an Ocean Advisory Group made up of high-level policymakers, scientists and experts, as well as representatives of the private sector and civil society.
“What we need is to create new momentum for ocean sustainability,” Mr. Ban said, noting:
“The Oceans Compact sets out a strategic vision for the UN System to deliver more coherently and effectively on its oceans-related mandates, consistent with the Rio+20 outcome.”
Mere om generalsekretærens tale på
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2012/sgsm14457.doc.htm
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