The Mandate and Work of the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf

1
The Modus Operandi of the Commission on the
Limitsof the Continental Shelf
Harald Brekke CLCS Member
2
Initial procedures
Organisation and Work - Subcommission
Recommendation of Subcommission
Final Recommendation and Establishment of Outer
Limits
3
INITIAL PROCEDURES
I
COASTAL STATE
II
SUBMISSION
SECRETARY GENERAL
PUBLICATION OF PROPOSED LIMITS
3 Months
III
COMMISSION
PRESENTATION OF THE SUBMSSION BY THE COASTAL STATE
COASTAL STATE REPRESENTATIVES
IV
4
COASTAL STATE

• Shall submit particulars of the limits beyond 200
  nautical miles along with supporting scientific
  and technical data.
• Shall make such a submission as soon as possible
  but in any case within 10 years of the entry into
  force of the Convention for that State.
• On request, the States Parties may review the
  situation for States that ratified early with a
  view to ameliorating the difficulty in respect of
  the 10 year deadline.

5
INITIAL PROCEDURES
I
COASTAL STATE
II
SUBMISSION
SECRETARY GENERAL
PUBLICATION OF PROPOSED LIMITS
3 Months
III
COMMISSION
PRESENTATION OF THE SUBMSSION BY THE COASTAL STATE
COASTAL STATE REPRESENTATIVES
IV
6
SUBMISSION
Requested format 1. Executive Summary 2. Main
Body 3. Supporting data CLCS/11, Chpt. 9
7
1. Executive Summary

• charts at appropriate scale and co-ordinates of
  proposed outer limits of the continental shelf
• provisions of article 76 that are invoked to
  support the claim
• names of any Commission members having rendered
  advice regarding the submission
• disputes arising from the claim.

8
2. Main Body
A detailed description of the data set, maps,
technical procedures and scientific methodologies
applied. References made to the basic data at
each relevant step
9
3. Supporting Data
A copy of all data referred to in the Main Body,
arranged in separate annexes. All data submitted
in support of the submission will be considered
by the Commission
10
INITIAL PROCEDURES
I
COASTAL STATE
II
SUBMISSION
SECRETARY GENERAL
PUBLICATION OF PROPOSED LIMITS
3 Months
III
COMMISSION
PRESENTATION OF THE SUBMSSION BY THE COASTAL STATE
COASTAL STATE REPRESENTATIVES
IV
11
THE SUBCOMMISSION AND ITS WORK
ORGANISATION OF THE SUBCOMMISSION
V
SUBCOMISSION
VI
DELIBERATION OF THE SUBCOMMISSION ON THE
SUBMISSION
VII
TECHNICAL EVALUATION
VIII
CONSULTATIONS OF THE SUBCOMMISION WITH THE
COASTAL STATE REPRESENTATIVES
COASTAL STATE REPRESENATIVE
IX
12
DELIBERATION OF THE SUBCOMMISSION ON THE
SUBMISSION
Introductory examination of - Format and
completeness of the submission - Whether
clarification is required - Information on any
dispute - Whether specialist advice may be needed
13
THE SUBCOMMISSION AND ITS WORK

ORGANIZATION OF THE SUBCOMMISSION
V
SUBCOMISSION
VI
DELIBERATION OF THE SUBCOMMISSION ON THE
SUBMISSION
VII
TECHNICAL EVALUATION
VIII
CONSULTATIONS OF THE SUBCOMMISION WITH THE
COASTAL STATE REPRESENTATIVES
COASTAL STATE REPRESENATIVE
IX
14
TECHNICAL EVALUATION
A detailed analysis of the Main Body and
Supporting Data of the submission in order to -
Verify criterion/criteria specified in Art. 76
applied in the submission - Verify the relevance,
quality and quantity of the data submitted to be
sufficient to justify the proposed limits in
accordance with the published Technical
Guidelines (CLCS/11)
15
FINDINGS
The Technical Evaluation will identify whether
more data or information is needed. If needed, a
request for additional, specific data or
information will be made to the coastal
State. All communication and efforts at this
stage will be made with a view to prepare for a
recommendation that will be accepted by both the
full Commission and the Coastal State.
16
THE SUBCOMMISSION AND ITS WORK

ORGANIZATION OF THE SUBCOMMISSION
V
SUBCOMISSION
VI
DELIBERATION OF THE SUBCOMMISSION ON THE
SUBMISSION
VII
TECHNICAL EVALUATION
VIII
CONSULTATIONS OF THE SUBCOMMISION WITH THE
COASTAL STATE REPRESENTATIVES
COASTAL STATE REPRESENATIVE
IX
17
RECOMMENDATION BY THE SUBCOMMISSION
FORMULATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS
X
RECOMMENDATIONS BY SUBCOMMISSION PUT IN WRITTEN
REPORT
XI
COMMISSION
XII
APPROVE OR AMEND REPORT
XIII
AMEND
APPROVE
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RECOMMENDATIONS AND FINAL LIMITS
FORMULATE AND APPROVE COMMISSIONs RECOMMENDATIONS
XIV
COASTAL STATE
XV
SECRETARY GENERAL
XXI
ACCEPT RECOMEN-DATIONS?
YES
XVI
NO
DEFINE OUTER LIMIT ACCORDINGLY
XIX
MAKE NEW OR REVISED SUBMISSION
XVII
GO TO START OF FLOW CHART
DEPOSIT CHARTS AND COORDINATES OF OUTER LIMITS
XVIII
XX