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UNCLOS UPDATE

On 16 November 1993, Guyana became the 60th State to ratify the UN Law of the Sea Convention (UNCLOS). Consequently, the Convention will come into force on 16 November 1994. In the meantime, consultations are still underway on Part XI of the Convention dealing with mining of deep sea-bed minerals. The parties concerned are working on the so-called "boat paper". This document has been prepared by representatives of several developed and developing countries as a contribution to the process of consultations relating to the outstanding issues in Part XI of UNCLOS. It attempts to bridge the differences between the pioneer States who have invested heavily in deep sea mining technology and the Third World representatives who want to preserve the deep sea-bed's status as the Common Heritage of Mankind. It is expected that an agreement will be reached in 1994 and a draft resolution could be presented for adoption at the 49th session of the General Assembly.

@HEAD2.5 = GENERAL ASSEMBLY HIGHLIGHTS

The Second Committee of the 48th session of the UN General Assembly considered the implementation of the decisions and recommendations of the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) and other environmental matters on Friday, 19 November, Tuesday, 23 November and Wednesday, 24 November 1993. The Committee had before it the report of the Conference on Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (A/48/479), which contains a summary of the progress made to date and a copy of the Chair's negotiating text. During the three days of debate, most delegates agreed that there was a need to hold two additional sessions of the Conference on Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks.

Jean-Pierre Levy, Director of Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, presented the report on the two sessions of the Conference on Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks. He noted that the Conference results should be within the context of the Law of Sea. After summarizing the programme of work during the substantive session of the Conference on Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, which took place in July 1993, Levy noted that the Conference asked the General Assembly to approve continuation of its work in 1994. Two more meetings have been requested. He also commented that the Secretariat has not received any contributions to the voluntary fund for participation of developing countries at the next session. [Return to start of article]