On December 10th, the Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations hosted a reception on the Occasion of the Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly Devoted to the Commemoration of the Thirtieth Anniversary of the Opening for Signature of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea at Japan Society.
Ambassador Tsuneo Nishida, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, opened the event by welcoming the guests and making a short speech on the importance of peaceful settlements of maritime disputes based on the treaty and explained Japan’s position on the treaty over the last 30 years. Following the opening remarks of Ambassador Nishida, Ambassador Tommy Koh, President of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea, and Ambassador Satya Nandan, the former Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority gave speeches. In their speeches, while emphasizing the progress made since the Convention opened for signature three decades ago, both dignitaries noted that the cooperation of countries who have yet to join the treaty was necessary, and also pointed out that solving maritime disputes in a peaceful manner was especially important in Asia today. Judge Shunji Yanai, President of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, and Dr. Tadao Kuribayashi, Professor Emeritus of Keio University were also invited to this reception as speakers, who encouraged participants to look into utilizing the Convention when the need arises, such as in the case of Bangladesh and Myanmar. These speakers are individuals who have greatly contributed to the establishment of the treaty.
More than a hundred people, mainly from various permanent missions to the U.N., attended the reception.
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Ambassador Nishida of Japan gives opening remarks |
Ambassador Tommy Koh, President of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea, delivers his speach |
Judge Shunji Yanai, President of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea gives his speech |
