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Legal and governance issues facing the Arctic from climate change

Dr Tavis Potts recently presented at a conference “INSTITUTIONS AND REGIONS IN OCEAN GOVERNANCE” hosted by the Law of the Sea Institute and held at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS). This important conference brought together a range of national delegrates, UN representatives and UN Judges to discuss major devleopments in international law regarding the sustainable use of the sea. Dr Potts and Dr Clive Schofield (from ANCORS, University of Wollongong Australia, www.ancors.uow.edu.au) co-presented on the legal and governance issues facing the Arctic from climate change. 

The United Nations 1982 Law of the Sea is the key regime for the peaceful governance of the oceans, often dubbed the 'constitution of the oceans'. It establishes the notions of exclusive economic zones and boundaries, principles for marine resource management, security, and the high seas. The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea is an independent judicial body established by the Convention to adjudicate disputes arising out of the Law of the Sea. The Tribunal is composed of 21 independent members, elected from among persons enjoying the highest reputation for fairness and integrity and of recognized competence in the field of the law of the sea.

For more information on ITLOS see: www.itlos.org



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