16 February 2011 | CIL Seminar Series

Climate Change and the Protection of Biodiversity in the Coastal and Marine Environment of the ASEAN Region

Introduction

Climate change impact and biodiversity losses in the marine and coastal systems of the ASEAN region are the subject of much concern given the high dependence on them for livelihood in the region, the risks attached to sea level rise and the threats to biodiversity. It is often argued that a binding agreement between the nations of Southeast Asia is indispensible to set clear rules in the management of their marine and coastal ecosystems.

However, this seminar demonstrated that several international agreements that address these concerns have been ratified in the Region, amongst which The United Nation Convention on the Law of the Sea, the United Nation Convention Framework for Climate Change and the Convention on Biological Diversity.

This seminar reviewed how these instruments apply to coastal and marine systems of the ASEAN Region and Member States rights and duties in this context, particularly Member States’ jurisdiction to enact and enforce protective legislation. The joint application of UNCLOS and the CBD was discussed as were other sources of environmental protection such as those supervised by the IMO (especially Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas). Perspectives on joint development (for environmental protection) in the South China Sea was presented.

About the Speaker

Youna is an international litigator also trained as a marine ecologist. She is now an adjunct senior research fellow with the Centre for International Law where she focuses on marine environmental governance, law and policy in ASEAN.

Youna created and led the private international law practice of the Litigation and Arbitration Group at Clifford Chance (Paris office); one of the world’s leading law firms, for more than 12 years. She later studied marine sciences and holds a Masters in Marine Affairs from the University of Washington. Youna has worked across Europe, the U.S. and Asia and, besides her Masters in Marine Affairs, holds an LLM and two Bachelors from La Sorbonne respectively in international public and private law and in procedural law.

Seminar Handout

To download “Table of international and regional instruments relevant to the protection of the coastal and marine environment in the ASEAN Region” in PDF format, click here.