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New York UN

STATEMENT BY MR NATHANIEL KHNG, COUNSELLOR (LEGAL), PERMANENT MISSION OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEM 9, INFORMATION REPORTED BY THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SEABED AUTHORITY, THIRTY-THIRD MEETING OF STATES PARTIES TO THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF THE SEA, NEW YORK, 12 JUNE 2023

12 June 2023

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1 My delegation thanks the Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority, Mr Michael Lodge, for the information that he has provided on the activities carried out by the Authority.  I would like to make three points.


2 First, Singapore reaffirms its full support for the work of the Authority, which contributes to the rule of law in the ocean and to the international community’s efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.  The Authority continues to be instrumental to the orderly conduct of deep-seabed mineral resource-related activities in the Area, including with respect to the effective protection of the marine environment from harmful effects from such activities, which for my delegation is critical.  We encourage all States Parties to support the work of the Authority, avoid undertaking initiatives that duplicate and undermine the processes and mandate of the Authority, and allow existing discussions at the Authority to take their course and avoid prejudging outcomes.


3 Second, my delegation wishes to express our appreciation for the capacity building and training initiatives of the Authority, in particular those that seek to strengthen the capacities of developing countries, especially Small Island Developing States, and those that aim to empower women to participate and lead in deep-sea related disciplines.  Singapore is pleased to have contributed to the work of the Authority in this area in our partnership with the Authority on the inaugural Women in the Law of the Sea conference that was held in September 2022.  This conference celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Convention and the contribution of women to the progressive development of the law of the sea as reflected in the Convention and related instruments.


4 Third, my delegation welcomes the progress made by the Council of the Authority on the regulatory regime for the exploitation of mineral resources in the Area.  We thank the chair and facilitators of the working groups for their efforts at building consensus.  In line with the Convention and the 1994 Implementation Agreement, Singapore fully supports the timely elaboration of robust rules, regulations and procedures that would ensure that any exploitation activities would take place with the effective protection of the marine environment.


5 To conclude, Singapore has been an active and constructive member of the Authority.  We will continue to be engaged in the work of the Authority, including, in our capacity as a member of the Council, the work of the Council on the regulatory regime for exploitation.


6 Thank you very much for your attention.


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