Mr. President
Mr. Secretary-General,
Honorable Ministers,
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen.
I have the honor to deliver this statement in my national capacity.
I thank the International Seabed Authority, at the request of the Government of Jamaica, for convening this special event to mark the 40th anniversary of the adoption of the UN Convention on Law of the Sea. My delegation wishes to also take this opportunity to warmly congratulate the Government and the friendly people of Jamaica on the 60th Anniversary of their Independence.
Mr. President
The conclusion of the UNCLOS in 1982 was a landmark initiative under the auspices of the United Nations to establish a rule-based international order at ocean and sea. In the last four decades, the Convention has successfully standardized states’ claims to maritime zones and the resources within them, and provided states with mechanisms for settling disputes in a peaceful manner. And this way, it has contributed in preventing conflicts over ocean and oceanic resources around the globe.
Mr. President,
Bangladesh is deeply committed to the Convention and its obligation. Following our ratification of the Convention in 2001, we have taken significant efforts for its implementation. We have resolved our maritime boundaries with neighboring countries in accordance with UNCLOS. We have submitted our claim for outer continental shelf in the Bay of Bengal to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf as per the relevant provision of the Convention. At the national level, we have amended our pre-UNCLOS base line and enacted Maritime Zones Act in conformity with the UNCLOS.
Mr. President,
Three key institutions established under the Convention are making critical contribution in promoting rule of law at ocean and sea and ensuring the sustainable use of marine resources for the greater benefit of the human kind. In this regard, we appreciate the pivotal role played by the International Seabed Authority in regulating, controlling all mineral related activities in the deep seabed and protecting marine environment in the Area. Among others, its ongoing efforts for developing mining code in order to explore and exploit mineral resources in the Area, foster technological innovation and facilitate marine scientific research are important enabler to fast-pace the achievement of the 2030 development agenda.
Mr. President
The UNCLOS remains the foundation for all human activities at ocean and sea. It provides the comprehensive legal framework within which all activities must be carried out at ocean and sea. However, the Convention has some challenges in terms of its implementation.
Among others, climate-induced sea-level rise, marine pollution remain the gravest threat to the health of our ocean. The implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement as well as Glasgow Climate Pact bear critical importance to address the adverse effect of climate change on ocean.
To conclude, Mr. President, we would like to reiterate our unwavering commitment of Bangladesh to the implementation of UNCLOS Convention.