Doha: The second session of the 12th Conference of the Advisory Board on the Law of the Sea (ABLOS), held under the auspices of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), convened in Doha on Tuesday. The session discussed the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), along with the contemporary challenges in ocean management.
According to Qatar News Agency, the session on UNCLOS and contemporary challenges in ocean management was chaired by Professor Lorenzo Schiano di Pepe, where participants focused on the effectiveness of the convention in combating marine environmental crimes, assessing maritime claims, and delineating maritime boundaries in strict accordance with the principles of international maritime law.
The discussions also highlighted emerging challenges imposed by technological and environmental developments, including deep-sea exploitation, marine pollution, and activities in polar regions, demanding innovative and globally coordinated responses.
Professor Wilfried Grimes of the US Naval War College emphasized that rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, autonomous vessels, and smart devices deployed across the oceans impose profound challenges on existing legal and regulatory frameworks. He underscored the urgent need to update the definition of ship and the responsibilities of the flag state to align with the current technological landscape.
Grimes further noted that the deployment of systems such as Seaglider for marine data collection enhances maritime domain awareness but raises critical questions regarding the operation of these devices by private entities on behalf of military actors. Betting increasingly on AI technologies, including machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing, triggers a comprehensive review of the legal framework to ensure its relevance in the new digital oceanic environment, he highlighted.
For his part, Captain Jose Cordova of the Ecuadorian Navy illustrated that Ecuador represents a successful model in the practical implementation of UNCLOS, through the establishment and demarcation of a marine protected area surrounding the Galapagos Islands, reflecting the nation’s commitment to marine environmental protection and the preservation of biodiversity.
The Sustainable Development Goal 14, concerning life below water, provides the overarching global framework for ocean conservation efforts, yet faces challenges such as climate change, pollution, and the overexploitation of marine resources, Cordova clarified. He reaffirmed that the convention constitutes the legal foundation for international cooperation in managing marine areas, granting coastal states sovereign rights within their exclusive economic zones and obligating them to preserve ecosystems while preventing overexploitation of resources. Ecuador’s experience, he said, exemplifies a practical balance between sustainable development and marine environmental stewardship.
Professor Ilaria Tani of the University of Milan emphasized that the convention forms the comprehensive international legal framework governing all ocean-related activities and resource use. She highlighted the flexibility of its provisions, which allow states to develop obligations through implementing agreements and new cooperative frameworks that account for scientific and environmental advances. She underlined the importance of reinforcing international cooperation and building both legal and institutional capacities in developing countries to ensure effective enforcement of international maritime law and the achievement of global sustainable development objectives.
Similarly, Professor Randa Fakhry of the Lebanese University stressed the significance of research on marine behaviors and coastal environments, asserting that understanding the social and environmental dynamics of coastal communities is fundamental to crafting effective and sustainable policies. Managing marine risks and protecting coastal resources require attention not only to technical and legal dimensions but also to human and social considerations, including the resilience and adaptability of local communities, with particular emphasis on the role of women and vulnerable groups in sustaining these communities, she added.
The two-day session of this event convened a distinguished assembly of international experts and specialists in maritime law and marine environmental management. The session sought to identify practical pathways for advancing the global legal framework for oceans and to enhance international cooperation in this vital arena, contributing to the formulation of policies that are sustainable, equitable, and safeguard the interests of future generations.