Norway assists Somalia submit documentation on its continental shelf
Photo: www.globalsecurity.org
Somalia submits preliminary information indicative of the outer limits of its continental shelf with Norwegian assistance.
Somalia is the first African country to submit such information. The submission was prepared with the assistance of the Government of Norway in consultation with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia, acting on behalf of the Transitional Federal Government of the Somali Republic.
“Somalia has submitted preliminary information indicative of the outer limits of its continental shelf to the UN within the deadline required under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. This is a historic step, both in terms of Somalia’s national development and with regard to the international legal order,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
“This clarification of responsibility and authority in maritime areas in accordance with international law is decisive for potential future resource management and thus for the welfare of future generations. The Somali submission therefore also sends an important signal to other States that developing countries where there is protracted armed conflict can comply with the requirements of international law,” said Minister of the Environment and International Development Erik Solheim.
Somalia was given until May 2009 to submit documentation of the extent of its continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles from its coastline. Developing countries that face particular challenges in collecting data may submit preliminary information indicative of the outer limits of their continental shelf – thereby meeting the deadline. Somalia is the first country to do so.
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