Commission on Limits of Continental Shelf to Convene Sixty-Sixth Session at Headquarters from 9 February to 13 March
NEW YORK, 5 February (Office of Legal Affairs) — The Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf is set to convene its sixty-sixth session from February 9 to March 13 at the United Nations Headquarters. This session will include plenary meetings from February 9 to 13 and from March 2 to 6, with the remaining time dedicated to the technical review of submissions by various subcommissions. A total of ten subcommissions will evaluate submissions from several coastal states, including Palau, Portugal, and Mexico, among others.
Session Overview and Schedule
The upcoming session of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf will feature a structured schedule aimed at addressing critical submissions from coastal states. Plenary meetings will take place in two phases: the first from February 9 to 13 and the second from March 2 to 6. During these meetings, the Commission will engage in discussions and evaluations of submissions related to the outer limits of continental shelves. The latter part of the session will focus on the technical examination of these submissions, utilizing geographic information systems laboratories and other specialized facilities. This systematic approach ensures that all submissions are thoroughly reviewed and assessed based on scientific data and relevant materials.
Submissions Under Review
A diverse range of submissions will be considered during this session, reflecting the interests of various coastal states. Notable submissions include those from Palau regarding the North Area, as well as submissions from Portugal, Spain concerning Galicia, Namibia, Mozambique, and Mexico, which pertains to the eastern polygon in the Gulf of Mexico. Additionally, the United Republic of Tanzania and Denmark will present submissions related to the Southern Continental Shelf of Greenland. The Commission will also review revised submissions from Brazil and the Russian Federation, focusing on the Brazilian Oriental and Meridional Margin and the Gakkel Ridge in the Arctic Ocean, respectively. This comprehensive review process underscores the importance of collaboration among coastal states in establishing their continental shelf limits.
Role and Function of the Commission
The Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf was established under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Its primary function is to provide recommendations to coastal states regarding the establishment of the outer limits of their continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles from baseline measurements. These recommendations are based on scientific data submitted by the states and are designed to be final and binding. The Commission’s work does not interfere with boundary delimitation disputes between states or affect the positions of states involved in land or maritime disputes. In cases where a coastal state disagrees with the Commission’s recommendations, it is required to submit a revised or new proposal within a reasonable timeframe.
Membership and Operational Structure
The Commission comprises 21 experts in geology, geophysics, or hydrography, who serve in their personal capacities. Members are elected for five-year terms by the Meeting of States Parties to the Convention, ensuring equitable geographical representation. Currently, one seat remains vacant due to a lack of nominations from the Group of Eastern European States. The Convention mandates that the state party nominating a member is responsible for covering that member’s expenses during Commission duties. To support participation from developing countries, a voluntary trust fund has been established, facilitating their involvement in the Commission’s sessions. The Secretary-General convenes these sessions with full conference services, subject to approval from the United Nations General Assembly, which also addresses other relevant matters concerning the Commission’s work.
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