Dr Nilufer Oral spoke at the session on Climate Change and Ocean Governance focusing on “Challenges of Sea Level Rise for the Law of the Sea and the Work of the International Law Commission”

Abstract：The 1982 United Nations Convention of the Law Sea (UNCLOS), the fortieth anniversary of which is celebrated this year, was negotiated and adopted in period when climate change was not yet a concern of the international community. However, scientific reports, beginning in 1990 warned about the impact of rising sea levels for low-lying coastal areas and islands. The latest scientific data provided by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change projects with high certainty the possibility of a global average of sea level wise of 1.1 meters by 2100. Asia and the Pacific region are especially vulnerable to the adverse impacts of sea level rise. UNCLOS does not expressly address issues related to sea level rise, such as whether baselines, maps and charts must be reviewed and updated because of coastal regression caused by sea level rise. If so, would this require changing existing lawfully established maritime boundaries? The presentation will provide an overview of the issues related to sea level rise and the law of the sea as well as the work of the International Law Commission Study Group in Relation to Sea Level Rise.