Voices Magazine Vol3 Issue 2

31 August - September 2019 | VOICES Bi-Monthly Magazine of the University of Technology, Jamaica President Delivers Inaugural Law of the Sea Lecture O n July 23, 2019, President Stephen Vasciannie delivered the inaugural lecture to mark the 25th Anniversary of the entry into force of the Montego Bay Convention on the Law of the Sea. The lecture, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Jamaica, was held at the Jamaica Conference Centre. The large and diverse group of persons present was headed by Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Ambassador Marcia Gilbert-Roberts, Permanent Secretary, and His Excellency Michael Lodge, Secretary General of the International Seabed Authority. Various diplomatic representatives to the International Seabed Authority, Government of Jamaica officials, members of the public and private bars, and colleagues from the University of Technology, Jamaica were also present. Professor Vasciannie’s lecture was on the theme, The Role of the Montego Bay Convention and the International Seabed Authority in Contributing to International Rule of Law. It addressed some of the main ways in which the Montego Bay Convention on the Law of the Sea upholds the rule of law in international affairs. He also examined aspects of Jamaican State Practice in the Law of the Sea with a view to assessing Jamaica’s adherence to the rule of law. Dr Kathy Ann Brown, Deputy Solicitor General and Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the International Seabed Authority, served as the Chair of the Proceedings. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith (second left), having a lively discussion with President, University of Technology, Jamaica, Professor Stephen Vasciannie (right), at the inaugural biennial lecture in honour of the 25th anniversary of the International Seabed Authority and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston, on July 23, 2019. Sharing the discussion (from left) are Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the International Seabed Authority, Dr. Kathy-Ann Brown and Secretary General, International Seabed Authority, Mr. Michael Lodge. PHOTO: JIS