Dr Martins Paparinskis is the Lead Discussant at the United Nations Ocean Conference

Dr Martins Paparinskis, Reader in Public International Law, spoke at the 2022 United Nations Ocean Conference as the Lead Discussant of Interactive Dialogue 7.

• Read the full text of Dr Paparinskis’ statement, 'Lead Discussant's Remarks' (.pdf)
• Watch the UN Web TV recording of the Interactive Dialogue 7 (with his interventions at 01:22-30 and 03:00-02).  

The UN Meetings Coverage and Press Releases summarised the Interactive Dialogue 7 in the following terms: 

‘LISBON, 30 June — Calls for the full implementation of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea dominated the seventh Lisbon dialogue today, with delegates describing the landmark treaty as a “beacon” of multilateralism and “starting point” for improving the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean through international law. 

“The Convention guarantees a good balance between environmental preservation and economic exploitation,” said Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore, who co-chaired the discussion with Gudlaugur Thor Thordarson, Minister for Environment, Energy and Climate of Iceland, alongside the week-long 2022 Ocean Conference. 

Making presentations under the theme, “Enhancing the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,” were four legal and policy experts, who outlined various reasons why the Convention remains the “true constitution” for the world’s oceans. 

Panellists included Michael Lodge, Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority; Vladimir Jares, Director of Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, United Nations Office of Legal Affairs; Rena Lee, President of the Intergovernmental Conference on an international legally binding instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction; and Jia Yu, Deputy Director-General, China Institute for Marine Affairs, Ministry of Natural Resources. 

… 

When the floor was opened, lead discussant Mārtiņš Paparinskis, Reader in Public International Law at University College London, and Member Designate of the International Law Commission, pointed to the role of the International Court of Justice in implementation of the Convention, particularly as related to rights on the high seas and delimitation of the continental shelf.  Sea-level rise linked to climate change has far-reaching consequences for the law of the sea and for the rights and obligations of States, he confirmed.  Given the importance of these issues for many States, the Commission has established a working group, he said, adding that some States would like to request an advisory opinion from the Court on these matters.’