Convention on the Law of the Sea more relevant than ever: UN chief
Time:2024-05-22 10:02:02 Source:entertainmentViews(143)
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addresses a General Assembly meeting commemorating the 40th anniversary of the adoption and opening for signature of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, at the UN headquarters in New York, on Dec. 8, 2022. As the ocean is "in dire straits," the landmark United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea adopted 40 years ago is more relevant than ever, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Thursday. (Eskinder Debebe/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)
UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- As the ocean is "in dire straits," the landmark United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea adopted 40 years ago is more relevant than ever, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Thursday.
Guterres made the remarks while addressing a UN General Assembly meeting commemorating the 40th anniversary of the adoption and opening for signature of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Adopted in 1982, the convention opened a new chapter of global maritime governance, and has greatly helped humanity better understand, protect and utilize the sea.
Four decades ago, the world took a vital step to bring governance and order to oceans and seas, Guterres said, adding that the convention's near-universal acceptance reflects its "fundamental importance" and its legal framework and related instruments to countries around the world.
"As we gather today, the convention is more relevant than ever. The ocean is in dire straits," the UN chief warned.
Nearly 35 percent of the world's fisheries are overexploited, he said, also citing the rising of sea levels, acidifying of the ocean, bleaching and dying of coral reefs, as well as "epic floods" threatening coastal cities and small island developing states.
Greater ambition is needed for the ocean and the people counting on it, and the convention's 40th anniversary should be "an important reminder to continue using this critical instrument to tackle today's challenges," said Guterres. ■
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (at podium and on screens) addresses a General Assembly meeting commemorating the 40th anniversary of the adoption and opening for signature of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, at the UN headquarters in New York, on Dec. 8, 2022. As the ocean is "in dire straits," the landmark United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea adopted 40 years ago is more relevant than ever, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Thursday. (Eskinder Debebe/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)
Previous:Vatican makes fresh overture to China, reaffirms that Catholic Church is no threat to sovereignty
Next:Kansas takes control in the ninth and beats Kansas State in the opener of the Big 12 Tournament
You may also like
- Election 2024: Biden and the Democrats raised far less in April than Trump and the GOP
- Owner of Raptors and Maple Leafs in talks to seal buying French soccer club Saint
- Brewers' Rhys Hoskins leaves game with injury after hitting a second
- Van driver dies in rear
- Trump visits Minnesota after son Barron's Florida high school graduation
- Cubs place reliever Adbert Alzolay on injured list with right forearm strain and recall José Cuas
- Jimmy Dunne resigns from PGA Tour board
- Prince Harry's memoir Spare beaten in every category it was nominated for at British Book Awards
- Hometown of Laura Ingalls Wilder set for a growth spurt