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United Nations - Office of Legal Affairs
Activities of the Legal Counsel of the United Nations

Side Event

Fit for purpose? Looking at the future of UN-Oceans

26 September 2017


On 26 September 2017, the United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares, in his capacity as focal point for UN-Oceans, hosted and moderated a side event entitled, “Fit for purpose? Looking at the future of UN-Oceans”. The side event was convened in the margins of the informal consultations on the draft General Assembly resolution on oceans and the law of the sea, taking into consideration the decision of the General Assembly to review the terms of reference for UN-Oceans at its 72nd session. Mr. Serpa Soares delivered his statement on behalf of the members of UN-Oceans, highlighting some of UN-Oceans’ main achievements, including the development of an inventory of mandates and activities of participating members, as well as its awareness-raising activities. He outlined how UN-Oceans could strengthen its effective contribution to achieving the oceans-related targets in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Statements were also delivered by the Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Mr. Vladimir Ryabinin; the Head of Water and Ocean Governance Programme, United Nations Development Programme, Mr. Andrew Hudson; and the Chief, Small Island Developing States, Oceans and Climate Branch, the Division for Sustainable Development of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Ms. Irena Zubcevic. A discussion on the future role was held with some participating Member States  

Mr. Serpa Soares delivered his statement on behalf of the members of UN-Oceans
Mr. Serpa Soares delivers his statement on behalf of the members of UN-Oceans