STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR BURHAN GAFOOR, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEM 76, ON OCEANS AND THE LAW OF THE SEA, GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 8 DECEMBER 2020

Mr President,

1 As we commence our debate on this agenda item entitled “Oceans and the law of the sea”, it is important to take a moment to remember that a multilateral process under the United Nations gave us the legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas are carried out—namely, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.  Today, the Convention, also known as the constitution for the oceans, remains one of the most important legal instruments ever.  It also provides an important reminder of what multilateralism can achieve.

2 Singapore had the honour to coordinate the informal consultations on the draft resolution A/75/L.39, which I am pleased to introduce on behalf of the coordinator, Ms. Natalie Morris-Sharma, Deputy Senior State Counsel at the Attorney-General’s Chambers in Singapore.  On her behalf, I wish to express appreciation for the support and constructive engagement of all delegations, including the small group facilitators, and also thank the Division for Oceans Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS) for their support throughout the negotiations.

3 This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the informal consultations were, on an exceptional basis, conducted through an exchange of correspondence and virtual meetings held in October and November.  The informal consultations proceeded on the understanding that the resolution was to be a technical rollover of the resolution that was adopted at the 74th session.  The general understanding was also that, apart from technical updates, changes would be limited to those necessary for DOALOS to be able to prepare and operationalise next year’s meetings, matters attracting budgetary implications, and mandate renewals, as well as language pertaining to matters arising from the pandemic.

4 The changes between the text of the draft resolution and the resolution adopted at the 74th session, though limited in number, are of great importance.  The significance of this resolution thus remains undiminished.  I will now outline four key changes.

(a) First, the resolution notes the challenges faced by the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf in continuing its work during the pandemic, and decides to consider the use of the voluntary trust funds to temporarily facilitate virtual participation in the work of the Commission and its subcommissions provided certain conditions are met.

(b) Second, the resolution notes the calls that have been made regarding the plight of seafarers stemming from the impacts of the pandemic.

(c) Third, the resolution takes note with appreciation of the implementation plan of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030).

(d) Fourth, with regard to the Regular Process, the resolution touches on a number of aspects.  These include matters relating to the third cycle of the Regular Process, as well as the welcoming of the second World Ocean Assessment and approval of its summary.

5 This concludes my introduction of the draft resolution and it gives me great pleasure to commend it to this Assembly for adoption.  While a vote might be called on this resolution, I remain hopeful that it can be adopted without a vote.

Mr President,

6 I will now make some remarks in my national capacity.  My delegation aligns itself with the statement to be delivered later by Belize on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States.  The year 2020 was envisaged to be the “super year” for the ocean, but the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the postponement of major oceans-related processes that were scheduled to take place this year.  The pandemic has complicated efforts aimed at addressing existing challenges in the oceans and seas.  It has also led to some new issues.

7 One example is the plight of thousands of seafarers around the world stranded on vessels at sea, due to travel restrictions related to the pandemic.  The health and safety concerns are serious.  The ongoing situation has also had a significant impact on the global economy and international supply chains that are critical for pandemic response and recovery.  Singapore has been facilitating and will continue to facilitate crew changes in a manner that safeguards public health as well as that of ships and their crew.

8 Small island nations like Singapore that are dependent on the oceans and seas can, however, take heart from the fact that the pandemic has not diminished interest or completely impeded progress on oceans-related issues. I will briefly mention three examples.

(a) First, there continues to be progress in the filling of knowledge gaps even as the international community seeks to step up efforts to address the existential threat of sea-level rise.  Discussions have taken place in the Sixth Committee, and on its margins, on an issues paper on sea-level rise in relation to the law of the sea published by two Co-Chairs of the International Law Commission’s Study Group on the topic of sea-level rise.

(b) Second, while the fourth session of the BBNJ intergovernmental conference was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a virtual intersessional work programme was launched in September to facilitate continued dialogue on key aspects of the future BBNJ instrument.  We believe that the work that is being done during this intersessional period will provide the foundation for a productive fourth session.

(c) Third, Singapore and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea adopted a Model Agreement in June this year, that would enable Singapore to host proceedings before the Tribunal or a Chamber of the Tribunal.  Singapore is the first country to adopt such an agreement with the Tribunal, and we hope that the Agreement will encourage more countries in our region to submit disputes to the Tribunal.

Mr President,

9 Multilateral institutions and processes are critical to supporting the global community’s ongoing efforts to overcome the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  The United Nations must continue to be at the centre of these efforts to recover from the impacts of COVID-19, and to build back better towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.  In this regard, the full and effective implementation of the Convention will be key to ensuring the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and its resources, and a sustainable future for all.

10 Thank you.

.    .    .    .