Commission with appropriate support in terms of highly qualified human resources,
premises, software and hardware. It is therefore a legitimate concern of States that
the future potential binding instrument on the conservation and sustainable use of
marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction would not impede
in its effects a responsible exploitation of the resources of the ocean floor and
subsoil.
In these, as well as in many other issues related to the oceans, the notion of
sustainable development becomes increasingly important. That is, to look at developmental, environmental, socio-economic and financial concerns together and as a
whole, with a view to meeting present needs without compromising the ability of
future generations to do so as well.
While the continuous work of the ISA is followed with increasing interest, there is
also a growing concern to look at the bigger picture. The understanding of a pressing
need for greater cooperation and coordination towards coherent action for the
conservation and sustainable use of the oceans should permeate all international
rule or policy making processes. The organizations in the United Nations system,
together with the ISA, seek to enhance the coordination, coherence and effectiveness
of competent organizations through an inter-agency mechanism—UN Oceans.
6 Conclusion
This chapter has focused mainly on answering the question “where do we stand?”, in
other words, what is the international community presently doing to address the
conservation and sustainable use of the oceans in areas beyond national jurisdiction?
The question “what more could we be doing?” remains an open one, in respect of
which the international community is still seeking answers.
At the conceptual level, it is known that the implementation of the challenging
goals and commitments, binding and non-binding, is key to ensuring the sustainable
future of the oceans. However, this will not be possible without enhanced international cooperation and ensuring that oceans and seas remain reserved for peaceful
purposes. Nor will it be possible without nurturing and further developing a stable,
comprehensive legal framework as enshrined in UNCLOS and related agreements
and instruments.
The message for the future is clear and is equally valid for maritime zones under
national jurisdiction as well as for areas beyond them: with an ever-increasing
number of competing activities in the oceans and with bodies addressing ocean
issues predominantly from a sectoral perspective at the global, regional and national
levels, the need for a coordinated and integrated approach to all ocean-related issues
is imperative. Much greater efforts are also needed by States to achieve the goals and
targets set out in SDG 14, including through enhanced cooperation and coordination
at the national and international levels and increased capacity-building and transfer
of technology to developing States. Finally, sustainable development of oceans and
seas is not only the responsibility of States, but rather a shared responsibility of all
330
M. de Serpa Soares
premises, software and hardware. It is therefore a legitimate concern of States that
the future potential binding instrument on the conservation and sustainable use of
marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction would not impede
in its effects a responsible exploitation of the resources of the ocean floor and
subsoil.
In these, as well as in many other issues related to the oceans, the notion of
sustainable development becomes increasingly important. That is, to look at developmental, environmental, socio-economic and financial concerns together and as a
whole, with a view to meeting present needs without compromising the ability of
future generations to do so as well.
While the continuous work of the ISA is followed with increasing interest, there is
also a growing concern to look at the bigger picture. The understanding of a pressing
need for greater cooperation and coordination towards coherent action for the
conservation and sustainable use of the oceans should permeate all international
rule or policy making processes. The organizations in the United Nations system,
together with the ISA, seek to enhance the coordination, coherence and effectiveness
of competent organizations through an inter-agency mechanism—UN Oceans.
6 Conclusion
This chapter has focused mainly on answering the question “where do we stand?”, in
other words, what is the international community presently doing to address the
conservation and sustainable use of the oceans in areas beyond national jurisdiction?
The question “what more could we be doing?” remains an open one, in respect of
which the international community is still seeking answers.
At the conceptual level, it is known that the implementation of the challenging
goals and commitments, binding and non-binding, is key to ensuring the sustainable
future of the oceans. However, this will not be possible without enhanced international cooperation and ensuring that oceans and seas remain reserved for peaceful
purposes. Nor will it be possible without nurturing and further developing a stable,
comprehensive legal framework as enshrined in UNCLOS and related agreements
and instruments.
The message for the future is clear and is equally valid for maritime zones under
national jurisdiction as well as for areas beyond them: with an ever-increasing
number of competing activities in the oceans and with bodies addressing ocean
issues predominantly from a sectoral perspective at the global, regional and national
levels, the need for a coordinated and integrated approach to all ocean-related issues
is imperative. Much greater efforts are also needed by States to achieve the goals and
targets set out in SDG 14, including through enhanced cooperation and coordination
at the national and international levels and increased capacity-building and transfer
of technology to developing States. Finally, sustainable development of oceans and
seas is not only the responsibility of States, but rather a shared responsibility of all
330
M. de Serpa Soares