Press Release
South Africa pleased by the re-election of Judge Albert Hoffmann to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea
12 June 2014
The South African Government through its Permanent Mission to the United Nations is happy to announce the successful re-election of Judge Albert Hoffmann to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. The elections were held on Wednesday, 11 June 2014, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York during the Meeting of States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The Convention (commonly referred to as the ‘Constitution for Oceans’) is a multilateral treaty governing the world’s oceans and seas and seeks to regulate all aspects relating to ocean space including maritime zones, shipping and navigation, sustainable utilization of natural resources, marine pollution, research and the conservation and the preservation of the marine environment.
The Convention enjoys almost universal application with 166 States that are party to the Convention. South Africa became a party to the Convention in December 1997.
The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea is an independent judicial body established under Part XV of the Convention for the settlement of disputes between States concerning the interpretation and application of the Convention. The Tribunal is composed of 21 judges elected from among persons enjoying the highest reputation of fairness and integrity and of recognized competence in the field of the Law of the Sea. Judges are also representative of the principal legal systems of the world.
The South African Government was pleased to present the candidature of Judge Hoffmann in view of his extensive experience and expertise in international law generally and law of the sea in particular. Since 2005, he has been a judge of ITLOS, and in 2011 he became Vice-President of the Tribunal.
During yesterday’s elections Judge Hoffmann obtained the highest number of votes (154 of 156 States present and voting) and will serve on the Tribunal for a further period of nine years.
For further information please contact Mr Clayson Monyela, Spokesperson for DIRCO on 082 884 5974
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION
460 Soutpansberg Road
Rietondale
Pretoria
0084
|
