Intervention by Diego Moreno - Secretary of Environmental Policy, Climate Change and Sustainable Development

June 6

Excellencies
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen,

First of all, I would like to express that Argentina is truly honoured to be associated to this event highlighting the importance of UNCLOS in the framework of SDG 14, and to thank the Ministers of Fiji and Jamaica, the Legal Advisor of the UN and the panelists for their stimulating presentations.

As has been already stated, UNCLOS provides the legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out. The convention has a clearly universal character and is considered to reflect customary international law.

This instrument is one of the clearest contributions to the strengthening of peace, security, cooperation and friendship relations between nations and constitutes one of the international instruments with the greatest economic, strategic and policy impact.

UNCLOS recognizes that the problems of ocean space are closely interrelated and need to be considered as a whole. Its 320 articles, divided into seventeen parts, and nine annexes, cover almost every aspect of the management of the oceans and their resources, including: the boundaries of the various maritime zones and the rights and duties of States therein, including rights and respects Navigation, the conservation and management of living marine resources, the exploitation of non-living resources, marine scientific research, and the protection and preservation of the marine environment, including from various sources of pollution; And the peaceful settlement of disputes.

Central to UNCLOS is the balance of the enjoyment of rights and benefits with the concomitant undertaking of duties and obligations.

There are however gaps in implementation, such as Part XIV regarding capacity building and transfer of marine technology to developing countries, and we hope that this Conference and also the BBNJ process will contribute to raise awareness of the importance of increasing cooperation in this area and to a greater implementation of this crucial aspect that is closely linked to the means of implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

In view of this, the implementation of international law, as reflected in UNCLOS, is of vital importance for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources. We are confident that the Call to Action and other outcomes of this Conference will also contribute to a greater implementation of UNCLOS.

Thank you.