South African Elected to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea

New York, 23 June 2005 - The Permanent Mission of the Republic of South Africa to the United Nations is pleased to announce the election of Advocate Albertus Jacobus Hoffmann as a judge to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.

Advocate Hoffmann's election marks the first time that South Africa would have a judge on the Tribunal. Advocate Hoffmann, together with Ambassador James L. Kateka of Tanzania were the two African candidates elected at the 15th Meeting of States parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea held in New York on 22 June 2005.

The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea is an international court established by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in order to deal with the peaceful settlement of disputes relating to the uses of the seas and oceans and their resources. The Convention on the Law of the Sea establishes a comprehensive legal framework to regulate all ocean space, its uses and resources. It contains, amongst other things, provisions relating to the territorial sea, the continental shelf, the exclusive economic zone and the high seas. It also provides the protection and the preservation of the marine environment. There are currently 148 State Parties to the Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Issued by the Permanent Mission of South Africa to the United Nations

For further information, please contact Zaheer Laher at 212 692 2460

Zaheer Laher
First Secretary
Permanent Mission of South Africa
to the United Nations, New York
Tel - 212 692 2460
Fax - 212 692 2498