United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea

In 1999, the General Assembly decided to establish the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea (the Consultative Process) in order to facilitate the annual review by the General Assembly, in an effective and constructive manner, of developments in ocean affairs and the law of the sea by considering the report of the Secretary-General on oceans and the law of the sea and by suggesting particular issues to be considered by it, with an emphasis on identifying areas where coordination and cooperation at the intergovernmental and inter-agency levels should be enhanced (resolution 54/33).


Twenty-fourth meeting: " The ocean as a source of sustainable food"
18 to 21 June 2024

Pursuant to paragraph 361 of resolution 78/69 of 5 December 2023, the twenty-fourth meeting of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea, in 2024, will, in its deliberations on the Report of the Secretary-General on oceans and the law of the sea, focus its discussions on the theme The ocean as a source of sustainable food. The opening session of the meeting, together with the panel discussions, will be webcast on UN Web TV.

Panel programme and presentations (forthcoming)

Abstracts of presentations and additional information (forthcoming)

Biographies of panellists (forthcoming)

Statements (forthcoming)

Composite streamlined list of issues that could benefit from attention in the future work of the General Assembly on oceans and the law of the sea (forthcoming)

Advance unedited reporting material on the topic of focus of the twenty-fourth meeting of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea 

Report of the Secretary-General (forthcoming)

Full texts of contributions from Member States, United Nations agencies, programmes and bodies, as well as other intergovernmental organizations to the report of the Secretary-General on the topic of focus of the twenty-fourth meeting of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea

Advance and unedited format and annotated provisional agenda

Information for Participants (forthcoming)

Side event programme (forthcoming)


Background information

Reports on the work of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process

Note: Documents are in PDF format and can be read online or printed using the free Adobe® Acrobat® Reader.
If you do not have this software installed on your system, you may download it from
Adobe's website.

Year

Meeting

Document symbol

Links

2023

Twenty-third meeting

A/78/129

A/78/129


Twenty-third meeting: Presentations in the Discussion Panel

Discussion Panel on "New Maritime Technologies: Challenges and Opportunities"

2022

Twenty-second meeting

A/77/119

A/77/119


Twenty-second meeting: Presentations in the Discussion Panel

Discussion Panel on "Ocean observing"

2021

Twenty-first meeting

A/76/171

A/76/171


Twenty-first meeting: Presentations in the Discussion Panel

Twenty-first meeting: Recordings of panellist presentations and programme of the Discussion Panel on "Sea-level rise and its impacts"

2019

Twentieth meeting

A/74/119

A/74/119


Twentieth meeting: Presentations in the Discussion Panel

Discussion Panel on "Ocean Science and the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development"

2018

Nineteenth meeting

A/73/124

A/73/124


Nineteenth meeting: Presentations in the Discussion Panel

Discussion Panel on "Anthropogenic underwater noise"

2017

Eighteenth meeting

A/72/95

A/72/95

Eighteenth meeting: Presentations in the Discussion Panel

Discussion Panel on "The effects of climate change on oceans"

2016

Seventeenth meeting

A/71/204

A/71/204

Seventeenth meeting: Presentations in the Discussion Panel

Discussion Panel on "Marine debris, plastics and micro-plastics"

2015

Sixteenth meeting

A/70/78

A/70/78

Sixteenth Meeting: Presentations in the Discussion Panel

Discussion Panel on "Oceans and sustainable development: integration of the three dimensions of sustainable development, namely, environmental, social and economic"

2014

Fifteenth meeting

A/69/90

A/69/90

Fifteenth Meeting: Presentations in the Discussion Panel


2013

Fourteenth meeting

A/68/159

A/68/159

Fourteenth Meeting: Presentations in the Discussion Panel

Discussion Panel on the impacts of ocean acidification on the marine environment

2012

Thirteenth meeting

A/67/120

A/67/120

Thirteenth Meeting: Presentations in the Discussion Panel

Discussion Panel on Marine Renewable Energies

2011

Twelfth meeting

A/66/186

A/66/186

Twelfth Meeting: Presentations in the Discussion Panel

Discussion Panel "Contributing to the assessment, in the context of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, of progress to date and the remaining gaps in the implementation of the outcomes of the major summits on sustainable development and addressing new and emerging challenges"

2010

Eleventh meeting

A/65/164

A/65/164

Eleventh Meeting: Presentations in the Discussion Panel

Discussion Panel "Capacity?building in ocean affairs and the law of the sea, including marine science"

2009

Tenth meeting

A/64/131

A/64/131

Tenth Meeting: Presentations in the Discussion Panel

Discussion Panel "Implementation of the outcomes of the Consultative Process, including a review of its achievements and shortcomings in its first nine meetings"

2008

Ninth meeting

A/63/174/Corr.1

A/63/174/Corr.1

2008

Ninth meeting

A/63/174

A/63/174

Ninth Meeting: Presentations in the Discussion Panel

Discussion Panel on Maritime security and safety

Submissions by relevant intergovernmental organizations, the specialized agencies, funds and programmes of the United Nations

Submissions

2007

Eighth meeting

A/62/169

A/62/169

Eighth Meeting: Presentations in the Discussion Panel

Discussion Panel on Marine Genetic Resources

2006

Seventh meeting

A/61/156

A/61/156

Seventh Meeting: Presentations in the Discussion Panel

Discussion Panel on Ecosystem approaches and oceans

2005

Sixth meeting

A/60/99

A/60/99

Sixth Meeting: Presentations in Discussion Panels A and B

Discussion Panel A on Fisheries and their contribution to sustainable development

Discussion Panel B on Marine Debris

2004

Fifth meeting

A/59/122

A/59/122

Fifth Meeting: Presentations in the Discussion Panel

Discussion Panel
New Sustainable Uses of the Oceans, including the Conservation and Management of the Biological Diversity of the Seabed in Areas beyond National Jurisdiction

2003

Fourth meeting

A/58/95

A/58/95

Fourth Meeting: Presentations in Discussion Panels A and B (in the language of delivery).

Discussion Panel A on Safety of Navigation; for example, Capacity-building for the Production of Nautical Charts

Discussion Panel B on Protecting Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems

2002

Third meeting

A/57/80

A/57/80

Third Meeting: Report on the work of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process at its third meeting has been issued as document A/57/80 (above). Additional information is available in English only.

Summary of Discussion Panels A and B (in English) for the areas of focus: (a) the protection and preservation of the marine environment, and (b) capacity-building, regional cooperation and coordination and integrated ocean management

Complete text of the statements (in English) made by the Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs, the Legal Counsel, and the Director of the Division for  Sustainable Development, representing the Department of Economic and Social Affairs

2001

Second meeting

A/56/121

A/56/121

2000

First meeting

A/55/274

A/55/274

Other documents of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process

Year

Document symbol and title

Languages

2011

A/AC.259/21- Contribution to the twelfth meeting of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea - Submitted by the Pacific small island developing States

A/AC.259/21

2011

A/AC.259/20 - Contribution to the twelfth meeting of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea - Submitted by the European Union

A/AC.259/20

2009

A/AC.259/19 - Taking stock: tenth year review of the achievements and shortcomings of the Informal Consultative Process - Submitted by the Group of 77 and China

A/AC.259/19

2009

A/AC.259/18 - Contribution to the tenth meeting of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea - Submitted by the delegation of Nigeria

A/AC.259/18

2008

A/AC.259/17 - The treatment of persons rescued at sea: conclusions and recommendations from recent meetings and expert round tables convened by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees  - Report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

A/AC.259/17

2006

A/AC.259/16
Note verbale dated 19 May 2006 from the Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations addressed to the Secretariat, containing the Report of the Scientific Experts Workshop on Criteria for Identifying Ecologically or Biologically Significant Areas beyond National Jurisdiction 6-8 December 2006, Ottawa, Canada

English

Francais

Espanol

Arabic

Chinese

Russian

2005

A/AC.259/15
Note verbale dated 27 May 2005 from the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the United Nations addressed to the Secretariat, containing its inputs on the two areas of focus: (a) fisheries and their contribution to sustainable development; and (b) marine debris (see annex)

English

Francais

Espanol

Arabic

Chinese

Russian

2005

A/AC.259/14
The United Nations Environment Programme and the marine litter challenge
A short overview of activities of the United Nations Environment Programme related to addressing the problem of marine litter
Submitted by the United Nations Environment Programme, Regional Seas Programme*

English

Francais

Espanol

Arabic

Chinese

Russian

2005

A/AC.259/13
Note verbale dated 18 April 2005 from the Permanent Mission of Costa Rica to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General, conveying to the Secretary-General the document entitled "The bottom line: an investigation of the economic, cultural and social costs of industrial longline fishing in the Pacific and the benefits of sustainable use of marine protected areas"

English

Francais

Espanol

Arabic

Chinese

Russian

2004

A/AC.259/12
Letter dated 24 May 2004 from the Permanent Representative of  Australia to the United Nations addressed to the
Secretary-General - Workshop on the Governance of High Seas Biodiversity Conservation, Cairns , Australia , 16-19 June 2003 (Summary of Discussions and Suggestions for a Way Forward)

English

Francais

Espanol

Arabic

Chinese

Russian

2004

A/AC.259/11
Strengthening of flag State implementation (Submitted by the Secretariat of the International Maritime Organization (IMO))

English

Francais

Espanol

Arabic

Chinese

Russian

2003

A/AC.259/10
Protection and conservation of vulnerable marine ecosystems in areas beyond national jurisdiction (Submitted by the delegation of Norway )

English

Francais

Espanol

Arabic

Chinese

Russian

2003

A/AC.259/9
The safety of navigation; for example, capacity-building for the production of nautical charts (Submitted by the delegation of Norway )

English

Francais

Espanol

Arabic

Chinese

Russian

2003

A/AC.259/8
The Need to Protect and Conserve Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems in Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (Submitted by the delegation of the Netherlands )

English

Francais

Espanol

Arabic

Chinese

Russian

2003

A/AC.259/7
Marine environment, marine resources and sustainable use: implementing the ecosystem approach (Submitted by the delegation of Norway )

English

Francais

Espanol

Arabic

Chinese

Russian

2002

A/AC.259/6
Proposal by Norway on Global Resource Information
Database (GRID)

English

Francais

Espanol

Arabic

Chinese

Russian

2001

A/AC.259/4
Marine science and the development and transfer of marine technology, including capacity-building (Submitted by the delegation of Norway

English

Francais

Espanol

Arabic

Chinese

Russian

2000

A/AC.259/3
Note by the Secretariat on the Report of the first meeting

English

Francais

Espanol

Arabic

Chinese

Russian

2000

A/AC.259/2
List of suggested items which may provide substantial input to the Consultative Process (Submitted by the delegation of Norway )

English

Francais

Espanol

Arabic

Chinese

Russian

2000

A/AC.259/1
Responsible Fisheries and Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported Fisheries: Moving from Principles to Implementation. Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (Submission by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations)

English

Francais

Espanol

Arabic

Chinese

Russian

Formats and Annotated Provisional Agendas of the Meetings

2021

A/AC.259/L.21/Rev.1
Format and Annotated Provisional Agenda of the twenty-first Meeting of the Consultative Process

English

Francais  

Espanol

Arabic

Chinese

Russian

2020

A/AC.259/L.21
Format and Annotated Provisional Agenda of the twenty-first Meeting of the Consultative Process

English

Francais  

Espanol

Arabic

Chinese

Russian

2019

A/AC.259/L.20
Format and Annotated Provisional Agenda of the twentieth Meeting of the Consultative Process

English

Francais  

Espanol

Arabic

Chinese

Russian

2018

A/AC.259/L.19
Format and Annotated Provisional Agenda of the nineteenth Meeting of the Consultative Process

English

Francais  

Espanol

Arabic

Chinese

Russian

2017

A/AC.259/L.18
Format and Annotated Provisional Agenda of the eighteenth Meeting of the Consultative Process

English

Francais  

Espanol

Arabic

Chinese

Russian

2016

A/AC.259/L.17
Format and Annotated Provisional Agenda of the seventeenth Meeting of the Consultative Process

English

Francais  

Espanol

Arabic

Chinese

Russian

2015

A/AC.259/L.16
Format and Annotated Provisional Agenda of the sixteenth Meeting of the Consultative Process

English

Francais  

Espanol

Arabic

Chinese

Russian

2014

A/AC.259/L.15
Format and Annotated Provisional Agenda of the fifteenth Meeting of the Consultative Process

English

Francais  

Espanol

Arabic

Chinese

Russian

2011

A/AC.259/L.12
Format and Annotated Provisional Agenda of the twelfth Meeting of the Consultative Process

English

Francais  

Espanol

Arabic

Chinese

Russian

2010

A/AC.259/L.11
Format and Annotated Provisional Agenda of the eleventh Meeting of the Consultative Process

English

Francais  

Espanol

Arabic

Chinese

Russian

2009

A/AC.259/L.10
Format and Annotated Provisional Agenda of the tenth Meeting of the Consultative Process

English

Francais  

Espanol

Arabic

Chinese

Russian

2008

A/AC.259/L.9
Format and Annotated Provisional Agenda of the ninth Meeting of the Consultative Process

English

Francais  

Espanol

Arabic

Chinese

Russian

2007

A/AC.259/L.8
Format and Annotated Provisional Agenda of the eighth Meeting of the Consultative Process

English

Francais  

Espanol

Arabic

Chinese

Russian

2006

A/AC.259/L.7
Format and Annotated Provisional Agenda of the seventh Meeting of the Consultative Process

English

Francais  

Espanol

Arabic

Chinese

Russian

2005

A/AC.259/L.6
Format and Annotated Provisional Agenda of the sixth Meeting of the Consultative Process

English

Francais  

Espanol

Arabic

Chinese

Russian

2004

A/AC.259/L.5
Format and Annotated Provisional Agenda of the fifth Meeting of the Consultative Process

English

Francais  

Espanol

Arabic

Chinese

Russian

2003

A/AC.259/L.4
Draft Format and Annotated Provisional Agenda of the fourth Meeting of the Consultative Process

English

Francais  

Espanol

Arabic

Chinese

Russian

2002

A/AC.259/L.3
Draft Format and Annotated Provisional Agenda of the third Meeting of the Consultative Process

English

Francais  

Espanol

Arabic

Chinese

Russian

2001

A/AC.259/5
Format and annotated agenda (Second meeting)

English

Francais

Espanol

Arabic

Chinese

Russian

2001

A/AC.259/L.2
Draft Format and Annotated Provisional Agenda of the second Meeting of the Consultative Process

English

Francais

Espanol

Arabic

Chinese

Russian

2000

A/AC.259/L.1
Draft Format and Annotated Provisional Agenda of the first Meeting of the Consultative Process

English

Francais

Espanol

Arabic

Chinese

Russian

Other related documents

1999

Resolution 54/33, adopted by the General Assembly. Results of the review by the Commission on Sustainable Development of the sectoral theme of "Oceans and seas": international coordination and cooperation

English

Francais

Espanol

Arabic

Chinese

Russian

1999

CSD decision 7/1 of 1999
Commission on Sustainable Development decision 7/1, "Oceans and seas"

English

Francais

Espanol

Arabic

Chinese

Russian

1992

A/CONF.151/26 (Vol. II), Agenda 21, Chapter 17:
Report of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development: Protection of the oceans, all kinds of seas, including enclosed and semi-enclosed seas, and coastal areas and the protection, rational use and development of their living resources

English

Francais

Espanol

Arabic

Chinese

Russian

Other material

2000

SEA/1681 - 26 May 2000

English

Francais

Espanol

2000

Press Conference on Ocean Affairs - 30 May 2000

English

Francais

Espanol

o        Secretariat contact:

Secretary of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea
Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea
Office of Legal Affairs
Room DC2-0450
United Nations
New York, New York 10017
USA

 

Telephones:

(212) 963-2834; (917) 367-9318

Facsimile:

(212) 963-5847

E-mail:

DOALOS

o