UNITED NATIONS: pakistan called for urgent action to improve management of oceans, as their “life support and sustainability” were inextricably linked with in achievement of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda.
“We need take urgent measures. Management Improvement of oceans and stronger legal frameworks are needed to conserve international peace and security, interconnection, blue economy and timely achievement of SDGs,” said Rabia Ijaz, second secretary in Pakistan mission, in her statement at the meeting of General Assembly.
Pakistan also stressed strengthening of legal framework for conservation international peace and security, interconnectedness, blue economy and timely achievement of SDGs.
The diplomat told the audience that world currently faced a global emergency of oceans that were under relentless threat from human activity.
“Sea levels rising, coastal erosion worsening, marine pollution increasing, marine biodiversity rapidly declining.” The ocean is warmer and more sour,” Ijaz said.
Experts say the oceans are in disrepair area of global governance despite the 1982 UN Convention on law of sea (UNCLOS) and 193 Member States agreeing in 2015 global goal for the sustainable management and protection of marine resources.
The diplomat noted that since its inception, UNCLOS has played a fundamental role in promotion of law and order and peace in the oceans, as well as ensuring a harmonious and reasonable use of ocean resources for all mankind.
“Pakistan also attaches great importance for work of three bodies established under UNCLOS – International Tribunal for law of sea, commission on limits of Continental Shelf (CLCS) and the International Seabed Authority (ISA),” Ijaz said.
She said it’s important to balance need for Mining with preservation of nautical environment and emphasized need for developing a robust and comprehensive regime for operation before start of mining anywhere in “area”.
She is also emphasized need for solution of the problem of in possible dangerous impact on marine ecosystems, which required constant negotiation in “good Vera” in light of in best available science.
Ijaz said that as a coordinator of Group of 77 and China for this yearPakistan is highly rated progress made during IGC-4 and IGC-5 to finalize the draft treaty under UNCLOS on conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity national jurisdiction (BBNJ) and see forward get together again of in next session.
She emphasized the principle of in common inheritance of humanity should guide and support new legal regime for conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas outside national jurisdiction.
She told the assembly the idea of the so-called blue economy recognized the seas and oceans main drivers of economic development with great potential for innovation and growth.
“Pakistan Interest in the concept comes from the coastline of over 1000 kilometers and extended continental shelf, exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of about 290,000 square kilometers and two major ports – Karachi and a new built deep water port in Gwadar.
Ijaz said the Indian Ocean offers promising potential for mutual cooperation and cooperation. But geostrategic competition and persecution of military the dominance of some nations can seriously undermine this potential, it added.
The diplomat said international community need to be aware of in fact that any military conflict in South Asia threatens stability in a region It was critical for global trade as well as global peace and security.
“We also concerned to politicization of issues related to the South China Sea. Resolutions of disputes related to the South China Sea are being conducted between countries concerned. Those outside in region should respect the negotiations and the process by which the parties concerned wish to resolve their disputes.
Ijaz confirmed that Islamabad is fully committed to the 2030 Agenda, including goal number 14 related to conservation and sustainable use of oceans and was open to cooperation and cooperation with friendly nations for this goal.
