UN LAUNCHES EXPANDED INTERNET SITE ON INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF OCEAN
Press Release
PI/1075
SEA/1590
UN LAUNCHES EXPANDED INTERNET SITE ON INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF OCEAN
19980811 NEW YORK, 10 August (Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, OLA) -- An expanded website dedicated to the International Year of the Ocean, highlighting the role of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in the rational management of the oceans, has been launched by the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, of the Office of Legal Affairs.The General Assembly has declared 1998 as the International Year of the Ocean in an attempt to raise public awareness of the oceans, and the actions needed at the global, regional and national levels to better utilize and manage ocean resources, while at the same time preserving and protecting the marine environment.
The expanded Internet site of the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea is intended to educate the general public about the role of the Convention on the Law of the Sea in their daily lives. The Convention is recognized as the framework for all ocean-related activities in fields as diverse as the limits of maritime zones under the jurisdiction of nations and their citizens, the sustainable use of ocean resources, marine science and technology and settlement of maritime disputes.
Exploitation of ocean resources, uses of the oceans for navigation and commerce, preservation of the marine environment, scientific discoveries in the oceans, a review of the various international organizations active in different fields related to the oceans, and a look at the peace and security issues involved are among a number of subjects the new website illustrates.
The United Nations, as the central forum for development of the law of the sea, has consistently taken an integrated approach to the subject of oceans and the law of the sea. This approach is based on the premise, as elaborated in the Convention on the Law of the Sea, that all ocean issues are interrelated and must be considered as a whole. As an example, navigation involves issues of marine pollution, national jurisdiction over maritime space, international rules for the safety of ships, exploitation of ocean resources, and so on.
- 2 - Press Release PI/1075 SEA/590 11 August 1998
The website will serve as a central link for those interested in further, more detailed research about specific ocean issues. It contains more than 1,100 links to outside Internet websites dedicated to themes connected with the International Year of the Ocean, from non-governmental and academic sites to national websites and those maintained by international organizations of the United Nations system. It is also designed for easy access in all countries, even in countries where Internet connection is slower.
The Internet address for the new site is: http://www.un.org/Depts/los/IYO/index.htm
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