JAMAICA, Kingston (21 June 2016) - - On 20 June 2016, Secretary-General Nii Odunton addressed the 26th meeting of States Parties to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in New York.

In his statement, he referred to the Legal and Technical Commission's focus on priority items on its agenda at the Authority's upcoming 22nd Session in July, which include the applications for extension of contracts for exploration, the preparation of draft regulations for exploitation, the operation of the Enterprise and issues related to the sponsorship by States of contracts for exploration in the Area.

The Secretary-General  also referred to the Review Committee established by the Assembly in 2015 to oversee a general and systematic review of the manner in which the Authority has operated in practice, pursuant to article 154 of the Convention, and to recommend measures which will lead to the improvement of its operation. The review committee is expected to present an interim report to the Assembly at the 22nd Session.

He drew attention to the elections that will take place during the 22nd Session for the Finance Committee, Legal and Technical Commission, Council and a Secretary-General and encouraged member States to participate.

The full text of the Secretary-General's statement is available on the Authority's website