The hosting of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) conference in Nadi last week has been viewed as a success for Government.
Foreign Affairs Ministry official Sainivalati Navoti said the workshop was a show of confidence from the Tribunal on Fiji’s participation in the Convention of the Law of the Sea since its inception to date.
“The Government is grateful to the Tribunal for coming down to our part of the world to offer us their assistance.
“The workshop has given us first hand information of how we could go about solving case of disputes that may arise
“The Fiji delegation has representatives from FIMSA, Republic of Fiji Navy, Fiji Police Force, Foreign Affairs with legal background for empowerment.
“Fiji officials need to go in-depth in our understanding of the Law and knowledge of the procedures available.
“There is a need to enhance our capacity within the Government System to fully aware of the Convention of the Law of the Sea and can settle any such dispute successfully in the future,” Mr Navoti said.
Fiji successfully hosted the event and gained accolades from members of the Tribunal namely the Resident Judge Jose Luis Jesus, former president and judge Chandrasekhara Rao and Registrar Philippe Gautier.
Mr Luis Jesus, in closing the workshop said the workshop has empowered regional participants to know avenues where to raise issues relating to law of the sea.
“The Tribunal through this workshop offered assistance to participating countries on legal avenues available to them when the need arise to settle disputes and other issues related to the law of the sea.
“It also provides information to legal representatives from the region and creates awareness of the details of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
“It should encourage them to take full advantage of all existing procedures available to facilitate them when the need arise when situations happen like the exploitation of their resources,” Judge Jesus said.
The workshop was the eighth regional workshop organized in regions of the world.
Senior Legal Officer of the Ministry of Justice in Nauru Ms Barina Waqa said: “The workshop is really enlightening and have provided the small island states with immediate legal avenues concerning their resources.”
Senior Legal Officer of the Ministry of Justice in Nauru Ms Barina Waqa receives her Certificate of Participation from President of the Tribunal President Jose Luis Jesus yesterday at the Tanoa International Hotel
“Our needs and situation may vary and it is very costly to sought for legal opinion on such disputes from outside the Pacific region.
“We grateful towards the Tribunal for availing their expertise and for providing in advance assistance for future needs in our region,” Ms Waqa said.
Participants from Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, Nauru, Cook Islands, Papua New Guinea and Fiji attended the two-day workshop.