Convention on the Law of the Sea more relevant than ever: UN chief
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)
Related articles
‘The Blue Angels,’ filmed for IMAX, puts viewers in the ‘box’ with the elite flying squad
If you’re looking for a little bit of that “ Top Gun: Maverick ” spectacle and thrill at the movie t2024-05-21Xi Focus: Xi stresses healthy, high
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committ2024-05-21China donates medical equipment to local hospital in Tanzania
DAR ES SALAAM, April 9 (Xinhua) -- The 27th Chinese medical team in Tanzania on Tuesday donated medi2024-05-21Xinhua Commentary: World benefits from greater China
by Xinhua writer Li ChaoBERLIN, April 13 (Xinhua) -- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will soon pay an2024-05-21Devout Christian doctor, 68, who punched dementia
An 'arrogant' doctor who punched a vulnerable patient for making a racist comment and spitting at hi2024-05-21- Contact Us HomeNewsHighlightACWF NewsSocietyWom2024-05-21
atest comment