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REPORT OF FIFTH SUBSTANTIVE SESSION

The fifth substantive session of the UN Conference on Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks was held at UN Headquarters in New York from 24 July - 4 August 1995. General statements were delivered in the Plenary followed by informal Plenary negotiations on the Chair's Draft Agreement A/CONF.164/22/Rev.1. The Chair circulated A/CONF.164/CRP.7 representing the a first attempt at harmonizing the text in all UN languages. Delegates wished to reopen debate on some of the substance contained in A/CONF.164/22/Rev.1, and this became more evident when the delegates said the editorial and stylistic changes effected in A/CONF.164/CRP.7 altered substance. Informal Plenary was convened after general statements, and in addition the Chair held a series of informal consultations, the most difficult and prolonged of which dealt with compliance and enforcement and enclosed and semi-enclosed seas, including areas of high seas surrounded entirely by an area under the national jurisdiction of a single State. As issues were agreed the Chair reconvened informal Plenary to update delegates on the state of negotiations. On Thursday of the second week, informal consultations were successfully concluded. Nandan reported to Plenary on the final day that said the Draft Agreement before delegates represented an "historic instrument that is far-sighted, far-reaching, bold and revolutionary." Delegates adopted the Draft Agreement, and at the conclusion of the session, they afforded Nandan a standing ovation. The adoption of the Draft Agreement, will be opened for signature during the General Assembly meeting in early December.