Expression of interest : ISA CONFERENCE | Women in the Law of the Sea

This session would aim at providing an overview of the impact of UNCLOS on the development of international law, from a global and regional perspectives. That would be the opportunity to look at sectoral competent organizations with law-making powers as well as how regional organizations complement and support the provisions of UNCLOS. It could also be the opportunity to touch on the relation between the law of the sea and other fields of international law.

Under session II, the conference will focus on the importance of UNCLOS for the process of delimitation of maritime areas and should be the opportunity to also explore some of the main challenges encountered in that respect.

This session would focus on the principle of “peaceful uses of the seas “as well as the importance of UNCLOS in the global system for peace and security.

Marine scientific research is a fundamental element of the governance regime established by UNCLOS. This session would then focus on offering an overview of the practical implications attached to the implementation of the provision of UNCLOS pertaining to this type of activities. Consideration will also be given to discuss the issue of transfer of technology and the different challenges faced in the operationalization of the relevant provisions contained in UNCLOS.

It is generally agreed that UNCLOS contains the general and most comprehensive rules for the protection and preservation of the marine environment. This session would therefore offer the opportunity to look at specific fields of activities (shipping, fisheries, oil and gas, deep-seabed mining…) through the lens of the regulatory framework in place to protect and preserve the marine environment while enabling the sustainable development of competing uses of the ocean with a specific emphasis on the complementary and sometimes competition created between UNCLOS and regional or sectoral frameworks.

Session VI would be the opportunity to discuss in depth the role of UNCLOS as a foundation for the development of the concept of sustainable development through concrete example pertaining to the management of ocean space and their resources both within and beyond jurisdiction. This could then be the opportunity to look at specific activities (shipping, submarine cables, deep-seabed mining etc.) and analyze the anticipated impact of two major negotiations taking currently place, namely: intergovernmental conference for the development and adoption of an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction (ILBI) and; the draft regulations for the exploitation of minerals of the Area (ISA Mining Code).

The main purpose of this session will be to discuss the main characteristics and problems arising out of the use and interpretation of compulsory procedures entailing binding decisions in the settlement of disputes system established under UNCLOS.

Many provisions of UNCLOS provide specific rights to developing States in order to ensure that they can fully benefit from the opportunities offered by the different uses of the ocean it regulates. Therefore, this session should focus on highlighting the specific provisions contained in UNCLOS but as well concrete examples and challenges encountered by developing States in exercising these rights.

This last session will be the opportunity to reflect on current level of representation of women in the institutions of UNCLOS as well as the existing and future opportunities for women in the law of the sea. This session will also feature some key findings and recommendations drawn from the commitment of ISA in advancing women empowerment and leadership in deep-sea research particularly women scientists from LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS.