Lost at Sea??

If there was one thing the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) committee proved this session, it was staying on course is easier said than done.

The delegate of Vietnam found themselves at the centre of controversy after being caught directly reading responses generated by Gemini. The incident resulted in the delegate being removed from the committee session.

Elsewhere, tensions continued to rise as the delegate of the United Kingdom used the word “retarded” during an exchange with North Korea, prompting raised eyebrows throughout the chamber. Meanwhile, rivalries between North Korea, China, the United Kingdom and the United States dominated much of the debate, leaving many other nations as little more than spectators.

Participation across the committee was equally uneven. Several countries, including China, North Korea, Vietnam and Malaysia, contributed little within their respective blocs, while Brazil- South America’s sole representative, focused almost exclusively on its own national interests, proudly describing the “Blue Amazon” and its vast marine resources with little discussion of the wider region. African representation was similarly limited, with only two nations participating and neither leaving a significant mark on the debate.

The delegate of Iran openly admitted uncertainty regarding their country’s position and later failed to respond despite being repeatedly called upon by several member states. Even after being directly challenged by the United Arab Emirates, the delegate appeared unaware that the question had been addressed to them.

Elsewhere in the chamber, the delegate of the Philippines appeared more engaged with WhatsApp conversations than committee discussions, while the delegate of Italy seemed to be fighting a different battle altogether–staying awake.

By the end of the session, the committee had spent considerable time debating, arguing and exchanging remarks. What it had not managed to do was produce a meaningful solution to the crisis before it.

For a committee tasked with governing the world’s oceans, UNCLOS spent far more time

drifting than navigating.

Prénjuhl Jenn,

Politico Europe