Agenda item 10a – Information reported by the Chair of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf

Statement on behalf of Norway by Director of Legal Affairs in the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Øyvind Hernes, in 28th meeting of States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, 11 June 2018.

Thank you Mr. President,

Let me thank the Chairman of the Commission for his comprehensive and informative report.

Norway would like to stress the importance of the work of the Commission, and would like to echo the support for the Commission and its work as well as the need for its best possible conditions of service as expressed by other delegations.

As already stated under agenda item 9, the ocean and the law of the Sea is important to Norway and its economy. It is important that also developing countries can benefit from their own resources and their rights under UNCLOS. Norway therefore try to assit developing countries to take care of their own interests in relation to the Ocean and the Law of the Sea.

Based on this approach, Norway intends to contribute USD 60.000 to the CLCS voluntary trust fund for the participation of members of the Commission from developing countries.

We would of course also like to encourage other States in a position to do so, to make contributions towards helping developing countries participate actively in Law of the Sea processes.

I thank you Mr. President