The latest discussions on oceans and the Law of the Sea at UN headquarters in New York has ended with agreement on a report that will be submitted to the General Assembly for consideration at its next session.

The seventh meeting of the UN Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea (12-16 June 2006, New York, NY) brought together over 400 representatives from governments, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations and academic institutions. During the week-long conference, delegates convened in plenary sessions to: exchange views on areas of concern and actions needed; discuss cooperation and coordination on ocean issues; and identify issues that could benefit from attention in future work of the General Assembly. A discussion panel was held to consider ecosystem approaches and oceans. The outcome of the meeting includes a report containing elements agreed by consensus on ecosystem approaches and oceans, which will be submitted to the General Assembly for consideration at its 61st session under the agenda item “Oceans and the law of the sea.” IISD coverage.
Advance and unedited text of the report on the work of the Consultative Process containing the agreed consensual elements to be suggested to the General Assembly is online.