A Symposium to commemorate Malta’s 50-year anniversary at the United Nations on the Law of the Sea – Jan 12, 2018

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion, The Hon. Carmelo Abela, inaugurated a Symposium entitled “Perspectives on Global Ocean Governance:  Where do we stand and where do we go from here?”  This symposium served to commemorate Malta’s significant contribution at the United Nations on the International Law of the Sea and to launch a debate on the future of Global Ocean Governance.  It was exactly 50 years ago since Dr. Arvid Pardo, Malta’s first Permanent Representative to the United Nations, introduced the concept of the Seas and Oceans as the “Common Heritage of Mankind.”  This concept eventually turned into a doctrine that ultimately led to a fifteen-year process leading up to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

REMPEC was represented by its Head of Office, Mr Gabino Gonzalez, who delivered a Speech on the relevance of REMPEC in Malta and within the United Nations Environment Programme by giving an overview on the current and future major activities of the Centre and potential future challenges to be addressed.