資料2-1
Press Release
SEA/1681
26 May 2000
OPEN-ENDED INFORMAL CONSULTATIVE PROCESS ON OCEAN AFFAIRS, AT HEADQUARTERS, 30 MAY - 2 JUNE
20000526
First Meeting to Consider Fisheries and Pollution Issues
In an effort to facilitate the deliberations in the General Assembly on developments in ocean affairs, and to strengthen international coordination and cooperation, especially in the sustainable development of the oceans and seas and their resources, the United Nations will convene from 30 May to 2 June the first Meeting of the Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Ocean Affairs (UNICPO).
To be held at Headquarters, the informal consultative process will focus this year primarily on two themes: responsible fisheries and illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing activities; and the economic and social impacts of marine pollution and degradation, especially in coastal areas.
It is expected that the consultations will make specific recommendations to the General Assembly for its consideration in relation to its annual review of ocean affairs and the law of the sea. It is also anticipated that the consultations will become an ongoing exercise to assist the Assembly in its annual review of issues related to oceans.
Background
The United Nations General Assembly has been undertaking an annual review of all important developments in oceans and the law of the sea, based on a comprehensive annual report prepared by the Secretary-General. It was felt recently that there was a need to broaden and deepen the debate in the Assembly and to further enhance coordination and cooperation in ocean affairs at the intergovernmental and inter-agency levels.
The UNICPO is intended to carry out three interrelated tasks: (a) to study developments in ocean affairs consistent with the legal framework provided by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the goals of chapter 17 of Agenda 21; (b) against the backdrop of overall developments of all relevant ocean issues, to identify particular issues to be considered by the General Assembly; and (c) while identifying such issues, to place emphasis on areas where coordination and cooperation at the intergovernmental and inter-agency levels should be enhanced.
Following the mandate provided in paragraph 7 of resolution 54/33, the Secretary-General, working in cooperation with the heads of relevant organizations of the United Nations, has prepared a report (A/555/61) to UNICPO to facilitate the discussion and to allow for initiatives that could be undertaken to improve coordination and cooperation and achieve better integration on ocean affairs.
