QUB invited to represent at leading platform for ocean law and policy in Southeast Asia
Dr Kerstin Kröger, a Senior Research Fellow from QUB’s School of Biological Sciences, recently represented QUB as invited speaker at the 13th Ocean Dialogue in Can Tho, Vietnam.
The Ocean Dialogue Series, initiated by the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV), aims to connect scientists, lawyers, and diplomats to discuss marine science, policies, and legal frameworks toward sustainable ocean governance. Since 2017, it has grown into the leading platform for ocean law and policy in Southeast Asia. The 13th Dialogue, themed "Exploring New Frontiers of the High and Deep Seas," was held on November 14, 2024, in Can Tho, Vietnam. It centred on the which was adopted on 19 June 2023, the third implementing agreement to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),
The 13th Ocean Dialogue was a hybrid event and featured nearly 20 international and national speakers and over 200 participants who engaged in dynamic discussions on the key contents of the recently adopted United Nations agreement on biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ), the prospects of deep-sea mining regulations, and the opportunities and challenges for further cooperation in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ) in view of this new agreement.
Her Excellency Ms. Rena Lee, Singapore Ambassador for Oceans and Law of the Sea Issues and President of the United Nations Intergovernmental Conference on the BBNJ Agreement, delivered the keynote address. Additionally, significant contributions were made by German experts Dr Kerstin Kröger, Senior Research Fellow at Queen’s University Belfast, and Professor Nele Matz-Lück from the University of Kiel, who shared their expertise on deep-sea mining and BBNJ dispute settlement mechanisms.
Dr Kerstin Kröger, an expert on impact assessment of offshore human activities and formerly a member of the UK Delegation to the International Seabed Authority (ISA) as technical expert on environmental matters, works as part of the EU Horizon 2020 funded TRIDENT project, evaluating the legal landscape of deep-sea mining on international, regional and national scales from a policy-science interface perspective. Kerstin works with Dr Patrick C. Collins from SBS and Professor Richard Collins, Dean of Internationalisation and Engagement, Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. Kerstin, as the only deep-sea ecologist among legal experts, was invited to present on deep-sea mining in Areas beyond National Jurisdiction.
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For any queries please contact Dr Kerstin Kröger (k.kroeger@qub.ac.uk)