The Contribution of Space Technologies to Arctic Policy Priorities

Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar Convention) Information Requirements The information required will be: yy Wetland physical characteristics (climatology, hydrology) yy Wetland habitats distribution

yy Wetland flora distribution (qualitative and quantitative) yy Wetland fauna distribution (qualitative and quantitative) yy Wetland land uses (agricultural, infrastructure, etc) yy Positioning systems in order to accurately map the distribution and location of waterfowl yy Positioning systems to locate accurately the site of certain human activities.

B.2.14 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) Facts in Brief

Jurisdiction: 162 Parties. Of the Arctic States, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Russian Federation, and Iceland have ratified the Convention, but the US has not. Responsible Organizations: Respective governments of the Parties. The treaty relies upon national legislation to implement its provisions. Status: The text of the convention was adopted on 10 December 1982 and entered into force on 16 November 1994. Supplementary agreements to UNCLOS: The 1995 UN Fish Stocks Agreement was adopted on 4 August 1995 and entered into force on 11 December 2001. It relates to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks. The Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI was adopted on 28 July 1994 and entered into force on 28 July 1996. The Agreement addresses certain difficulties with the seabed mining provisions contained in Part XI of the Convention. Type: A legally-binding international convention, open to ratification. Coverage: World’s Oceans: Geographic marine and coastal area of the respective governments and Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Web link: http://www.un.org/depts/los/convention_agreements/texts/unclos/unclos_e.pdf UNCLOS is the most comprehensive attempt at creating a unified regime for governance of the rights and responsibilities of nations in their use of ocean space. It governs all aspects of ocean space including: delimitation; environmental control; marine scientific research; economic and commercial activities; transfer of technology; piracy, and the settlement of disputes relating to ocean matters. It applies the notion that all problems of ocean space are closely interrelated, and need to be addressed as a whole.

Policy Objectives

CONTRIBUTION OF SPACE TECHNOLOGIES TO ARCTIC POLICY PRIORITIES 76