The 1995 United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement (UNFSA) is an implementing agreement to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) that aims at ensuring the long-term conservation and sustainable use of straddling fish stocks and highly migratory fish stocks. It provides an international legally binding framework for the conservation and management of the world’s most commercially significant high seas fish stocks, including through regional fisheries management organizations. The full and effective implementation of this Agreement is thus vital to achieving the fisheries-related commitments undertaken in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and addressing illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. The seminar will serve to inform participants about the international legal framework for sustainable fisheries in UNCLOS and UNFSA, including the role of flag States, coastal States and regional fisheries management organizations. Detailed information will also be provided regarding the various fisheries-related processes at United Nations Headquarters, including the Informal Consultations of States Parties to the United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement, the Review Conference on the United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement and the informal consultations on the draft General Assembly resolution on sustainable fisheries

Key Objectives

• Enhance understanding of the key provisions of UNCLOS and UNFSA for the conservation and management of marine living resources
• Draw attention to the fisheries-related commitments of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
• Facilitate engagement with the United Nations processes on sustainable fisheries

The work of the General Assembly on oceans and the law of the sea is conceptually and procedurally complex, presenting a challenge for delegates with limited background in the field. This course aims at enhancing the capacity of delegates, in particular delegates from developing States, delegates from small delegations and new delegates, to participate more effectively in relevant work of the General Assembly on ocean-related matters by providing an overview of the legal framework for oceans and law of the sea and a detailed introduction to the work of the General Assembly in this field. In particular, the course will strengthen participants' understanding of the legal framework for oceans and the law of the sea set out in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and related instruments. The Convention often called the “constitution for the oceans”, provides an effective, comprehensive and overarching international legal framework for the oceans and seas. The course will also provide delegations with key information and insights regarding the work of various processes under the Convention and the General Assembly on oceans and the law of the sea. It will cover ocean-related processes of the General Assembly in detail, including the annual resolutions on Oceans and the Law of the Sea and Sustainable Fisheries.

Key Objectives 

• Enhance understanding of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and its implementing Agreements.
• Describe the various ocean-related General Assembly processes, including their scope, objectives and current areas of focus. 
• Expand knowledge of ocean affairs within the United Nations System, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.