• by IPS Correspondents (kingston)
• Friday, November 18, 1994
• Inter Press Service

KINGSTON, Nov 18 (IPS) - As the inaugural meeting of the International Seabed Authority ended in Kingston Friday, statements by Caribbean leaders indicated a consensus that the region has much to gain from the work of the new U.N. agency.

As small developing nations, most of them islands, they all have an interest in marine matters. Officials said, however, that except for tourism, the region has been unable to exploit its marine resources.

"It will be a major challenge for the Seabed Authority to provide the necessary assistance, particularly for developing states, in order to allow them to benefit from the rights they have acquired under the regime," said Percival Patterson, Jamaica's prime minister, and chairman of the conference.

The ISA will implement the Law of the Sea Convention, a treaty governing several aspects of the exploitation of marine resources and the protection of the marine environment.

The ISA will also oversee the recovery of billions of dollars of polymetallic nodules lying on the international seabed outside the economic zone of any one country. The new U.N. agency will have its headquarters in Jamaica.

Caribbean leaders who addressed the three-day conference referred repeatedly to the region's inevitable interest in marine affairs, and the need for their small countries to benefit from the Law of the Sea treaty.

"We are heartened that the decision-making by the Authority ensures that the interests of developing countries, including those of the island states, were reflected in the Convention," said Owen Arthur, prime minister of Barbados.

"That developed and developing nations have been able to solidify agreement on this principle is a good sign for future international co-operation relating to the protection and the sustainable use of the Earth's resources."

The prime minister said that the Convention was important particularly to small island developing states such as Barbados.

"Their very existence, given their small size, limited resources and intimate connection to the oceans, is inextricably linked to the well-being of the oceans and seas."

© Inter Press Service (2014) — All Rights Reserved. Original source: Inter Press Service

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