Ministry Statements & Speeches:
Thank you, President.
New Zealand aligns itself with with statement of the Pacific Islands Forum delivered by Fiji. We take this opportunity to deliver a statement in our national capacity.
We would like to start by thanking the Secretary-General for the helpful annual report, and expressing our appreciation for the ongoing efforts of the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea. We also take this opportunity to welcome Rwanda’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
New Zealand is a strong supporter of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which, as the “constitution for the oceans”, is the legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out. As an island state with a large maritime zone, the conservation and sustainable use of the world’s oceans is of vital importance to Aotearoa New Zealand, and our Pacific neighbours.
In March of this year, New Zealand, along with the international community as a whole, welcomed the conclusion of negotiations on a new treaty under UNCLOS on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond national jurisdiction. This treaty will be the biggest and most important update to the UNCLOS framework since the United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement was agreed in 1995.
The conclusion of negotiations represents a significant step forward in our collective efforts to safeguard our oceans for future generations. The treaty will supplement and enhance the UNCLOS framework by providing the tools and systems to manage and protect our biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction.
We are grateful for the leadership demonstrated by the President of the Intergovernmental Conference, Ambassador Rena Lee of Singapore, in guiding us to the conclusion of negotiations, and we look forward to seeing the treaty adopted at a resumed session of the Intergovernmental Conference in just a few days.
New Zealand also welcomed the conclusion of the 2023 Resumed Review Conference of the UN Fish Stocks Agreement in May this year. We were grateful for the constructive dialogue over the week, as well as the progress made in the updated recommendations. We now call on all stakeholders to implement these recommendations, nationally and through Regional Fisheries Management Organisations. At the next resumed review conference, we hope the recommendations can be further updated to reflect greater ambition to address the effects of climate change on fisheries, as well as towards further protection of marine biodiversity.
President,
New Zealand remains focused on ensuring that maritime zones are protected in the face of climate-change related sea level rise. In August 2021, New Zealand joined the Pacific Islands Forum in issuing the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Declaration on Preserving Maritime Zones in the Face of Climate Change-Related Sea-Level Rise. The Declaration emphasises the primacy of UNCLOS as the constitution for the oceans, and sets out our collective position that maritime zones established in accordance with the Convention shall continue to apply, notwithstanding any physical change connected to climate change-related sea-level rise.
We are pleased with the support that the Declaration has received over the past two years, and we remain committed to working with the international community to take this important work forward.
President,
New Zealand also wishes to express its ongoing support for the important work being undertaken by the Commission for the Limits of the Continental Shelf. The Commission is a critical institution facilitating the implementation of UNCLOS. New Zealand supports the ongoing discussions addressing the conditions of service of members of the Commission at this year’s meeting. We believe this to be vital in maintaining the efficient and high quality work of the Commission moving forward.
Finally, New Zealand congratulates the new members of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea who have been elected in this 33rd meeting. New Zealand would also like to take this opportunity to express its ongoing support for the important work of the Tribunal. The Tribunal serves as an important mechanism in facilitating the peaceful settlement of disputes under UNCLOS, clarifying international law where necessary, and fostering a higher level of cooperation between states. All of this is vital in maintaining the effective functioning and implementation of the Convention.
Thank you President.