EventsFeaturesImage galleriesMediaMFAT speeches20042005200620072008Media contact informationMinisters releasesPublications
Mr President,
New Zealand warmly associates itself with the statement presented by the Deputy Permanent Representative of Samoa on behalf of the States of the Pacific Islands Forum, of which New Zealand is a member. We would also like to add a few additional comments to the debate on our own behalf.
Mr President,
This year is a particularly significant one for the issues of oceans and the law of the sea. Our debate marks the 10th anniversary of the opening for signature of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The continuing relevance of the Convention and its principles as the global foundation document for oceans governance and management was reaffirmed and given modern expression by our leaders at the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development two years ago. New Zealand welcomed the commitments made in the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation on oceans issues, and continues to urge states to make every effort to ensure that the calls to action contained in that Plan are fulfilled.
In particular, New Zealand is concerned that adverse impacts of fishing activities on vulnerable marine ecosystems continue to occur, and, more worryingly, that reactions by states to address the problem are too often slow and inadequate. New Zealand considers that these issues require urgent interim action.
New Zealand also strongly supports the need to address these issues through appropriate regional fisheries management structures. Proper geographical coverage of RFMOs with the capacity to manage demersal species, updated mandates for organisations to address environmental issues caused by deep-sea fisheries, and the adoption of strong conservation and management measures are three key areas for states to focus their action. For our part - in addition to existing prohibitions and other measures in place in our exclusive economic zone - New Zealand is already taking the first steps towards the establishment of a new regional fisheries management framework for demersal fisheries in the Tasman Sea area adjacent to New Zealand’s waters.
We are pleased with the commitment shown by all States this year to address the impacts of destructive fishing practices and bottom-trawling that have adverse impacts on marine ecosystems. Given the urgency of this issue, New Zealand looks forward to the opportunity to check progress on interim measures and on improvements to regional management arrangements next year, at the sixtieth session of the United Nations General Assembly. Together, we will need to consider options for ensuring adequate protection and management is in place for any areas where progress has been insufficient.
New Zealand welcomes the establishment of a new Ad Hoc Open-Ended Informal Working Group to study issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction. There is no question that the time has now come for States to sit down together and focus in earnest on the question of high seas marine biodiversity, which we are all aware involves a multitude of interests. We must not be deterred by the number and complexity of issues that will arise in the course of this work, nor by the expectation that resolution of these will take time. We hope that the work of the Group will enable key issues to be clearly identified, to facilitate the direction and scope of any future work. We are ready and willing to use this forum to engage seriously with others to work through the relevant issues of importance to enhance protection and preservation of the marine environment .
Mr President,
Proper conservation and management of marine resources and biodiversity requires a fully integrated approach to oceans governance and management. As noted in Samoa’s statement on behalf of the Pacific Islands Forum, we have a regional oceans policy in place as well as an action plan to ensure integrated implementation of our regional policy. In the same vein, New Zealand continues to view the Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and Law of the Sea as a vital opportunity to survey, in an integrated way, important international oceans issues. New Zealand supports the adoption of a renewed mandate for the Informal Consultative Process beyond the Sixth Meeting of the Process to be held in June next year.
Mr President,
Finally, we thank the Secretary-General for his report, which is, as always, comprehensive and of great assistance to delegations, and the wider oceans constituency. We participated in the consideration of his report during the Informal Consultative Process earlier this year, which identified key issues of concern. As co-sponsor, we fully support the reflection of those concerns and the conclusions reached in both resolutions under this item.
Thank you Mr President
