A total of 110 National Assembly members on Monday convened to review and unanimously approve seven draft laws in a historic session that saw the Kingdom ratify the UN’s Convention on Sea Law (Unclos).
The Unclos, dated December 10, 1982, “lays down a comprehensive regime of law and order in the world’s oceans and seas establishing rules governing all uses of the oceans and their resources”.
“It enshrines the notion that all problems of ocean space are closely interrelated and need to be addressed as a whole,” said the UN Division of Ocean Affairs and Law of the Sea website.
Committee on Investment Plan, Agriculture, Rural and Environmental Development and Water Resources acting chair Hou Sry said the law would also ensure the conservation of medium- and long-range migratory fish stock “based on a careful approach and the best scientific evidence”.
“Cambodia can benefit from [ratifying Unclos] because it affirms the Kingdom’s commitment to resolving concerns responsibly, and grants access to technical and financial assistance for the management and conservation of fishery resources,” Sry said.
He also expressed enthusiasm that the ratification would contribute to cooperation at sub-regional, regional and international levels between the coastal nations and states that use their waters to fish.
A letter sent by Prime Minister Hun Sen to the National Assembly on October 16 said signatories to the agreement will also approve measures for the protection of biodiversity in seas and oceans to prevent overfishing.
Following the unanimous approval, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Veng Sakhon said: “The [Ministry], through the leadership of the government, will exercise its rights under this law and is committed to promoting its spirit with relevant [institutions] locally and internationally.”
The additional six draft laws to be reviewed and unanimously approved were related to the purchase of electricity from Laos and further development and management of the energy sector in Pursat, Battambang, Svay Rieng and Banteay Meanchey provinces.
