On 11 May 2011 Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya elaborated on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ readiness to proceed with internal administrative matters for preparation of the ratification and accession instruments of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS). A Parliamentary joint session has recently approved Thailand’s ratification of the said Convention on 26 April this year.
During the opening remarks at a seminar entitled “Declarations, Settlement of Disputes and Enforcement of decisions under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982” hosted by the Department of Treaty and Legal Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the participation of experts on the law of the sea from Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS), United Nations, Foreign Minister Kasit announced that a Committee on the Law of the Sea and maritime boundaries, functioning under the purview of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is tasked by a Cabinet Resolution dated 21 December 2010 to monitor and provide assistance to relevant agencies in their efforts to amend and develop laws and regulations in order to comply with UNCLOS. Efforts to ratify this particular convention demonstrate Thailand’s role and sincerity in preserving its maritime interests and enhancing maritime security on a global scale.
With regards to the development of relevant practioners in the field, the Foreign Ministry has envisaged to develop a series of projects with a view to disseminating knowledge concerning UNCLOS and to promoting capacity-building as well as encouraging good working relationship between practioners from related agencies. Foreign Minister Kasit emphasized that the Parliament’s approval of ratification of UNCLOS, a Convention of global significance, was due to the successful collective effort by State agencies and academics in the past few decades. He further expressed hope that Thailand could complete the internal process to ratify and accede to UNCLOS by the term of the present government.
UNCLOS specifies rules and regulations to facilitate international sea transportation, as well as promotes peaceful use of the sea and efficient and sustainable use of sea resources. UNCLOS further promotes preservation of living sea resources, together with marine scientific research, protection and preservation of the marine environment.
For further information, please contact the Press Division, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel.02-6435170, Fax.02-6435169, E-mail: div0704@mfa.go.th