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43612. Much ado about rocks
- Author:
- Melda Malek
- Publication Date:
- 04-2012
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Maritime Institute of Malaysia
- Abstract:
- The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS) was the culmination of almost a decade of active negotiations between states on how the oceans should be navigated, explored, exploited and governed. Naturally, as in any negotiations, compromises were often sought when parties could not quite see eye to eye on certain issues.
- Topic:
- International Trade and Finance, Treaties and Agreements, United Nations, Maritime Commerce, Natural Resources, and Governance
43613. Global Warming's Unfinished Debate: The Post-Kyoto (2008-2012) Era
- Author:
- Cheryl Rita Kaur
- Publication Date:
- 03-2012
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Maritime Institute of Malaysia
- Abstract:
- The Copenhagen Climate Summit in 2009 was aimed at building on an international agreement through a new environmental accord for the post-Kyoto period (2008-2012), including new targets for greenhouse gas emissions. Although various options have been suggested since then, no definite agreement has yet been achieved. The recent United Nations Climate Change Conference in Durban, South Africa further negotiated the implementation of the Convention visa- vis the Kyoto Protocol, the Bali Action Plan, and the Cancun Agreements. The main outcome included the decision to adopt a universal legal agreement on climate change as soon as possible and no later than 2015. This commentary looks at the strengths and problems faced with the Protocol and what will constitute a fair differentiation of commitments among countries to address the issue more effectively post-Kyoto.
- Topic:
- Climate Change, Environment, International Trade and Finance, Treaties and Agreements, and Maritime Commerce
- Political Geography:
- New Delhi and United Nations
43614. Propelling Malaysia's OSV sector ahead
- Author:
- Nazery Khalid
- Publication Date:
- 03-2012
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Maritime Institute of Malaysia
- Abstract:
- The launching of the Malaysian Offshore Support Vessels Owners Association (OSV Malaysia) in February 2012 brings to attention the issues and challenges faced by the local offshore support vessels (OSV) sector. The contribution and importance of this sector in facilitating the offshore oil and gas industry cannot be overemphasized. These vessels enable a host of activities such as prospecting, exploring, commercializing, producing, storing, offloading and transporting of oil and gas and construction and decommissioning of offshore structures to be carried out.
- Topic:
- Economics, International Trade and Finance, Oil, Maritime Commerce, and Natural Resources
- Political Geography:
- Malaysia
43615. Are Closed Areas the Solution for Fisheries Management?
- Author:
- Cheryl Rita Kaur
- Publication Date:
- 02-2012
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Maritime Institute of Malaysia
- Abstract:
- There is strong scientific consensus that closed areas contribute towards increased abundance of fish, protect against the risk of fishery collapse, and guard against the shortcomings of other environmental management tools. Studies at some areas have shown that protected spots experienced a rapid increase in fish numbers. While closed areas may offer promise for the conservation and management of marine fisheries and their habitats, there are however, mixed views on their benefits. Critics argue that most commercial species are too mobile to benefit from closed areas; whereas fishermen worry that it would reduce their fishing grounds, and thus affect their catches. Cheryl summarises that well enforced closed areas have great potential to maintain or enhance fishery catches and increase sustainability, but they cannot be considered as the solution to the problem of dwindling global fisheries stocks. The potential in improving fisheries management towards better yield will be limited unless the roots of management failures are addressed. These hugely requires reductions in fishing mortality, better enforcement strategies, improved design and selection of suitable sites as fisheries closed areas, and increased transboundary cooperation among countries on migratory fish species.
- Topic:
- Environment, Maritime Commerce, Natural Resources, and Food
43616. All Roads Lead to the Indian Ocean
- Author:
- Sumathy Permal
- Publication Date:
- 01-2012
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Maritime Institute of Malaysia
- Abstract:
- The Indian Ocean (IO) is the world’s third largest ocean with an area of 73.5 million sq. km or 28.5 million sq. miles. It is strategically located adjacent to Asia in the North, Australia to the East, Antarctica to the South, and Africa to the West. IO forms two large indentations in South Asia, the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. The ocean can be accessed through several chokepoints i.e., from the West via Cape of Good Hope and the Straits of Madagascar, from the North via the Bab el-Mandeb at the end of the Red Sea; the Sunda and Lombok-Straits and the Ombai-Wetar-Straits and the Straits of Hormuz at the exit of the Persian Gulf, from the East via the Straits of Malacca and, by way of geographical extension, to the South China Sea.
- Topic:
- Security, International Law, International Trade and Finance, and Maritime Commerce
- Political Geography:
- Africa, China, Malaysia, Asia, Arabia, and Kobani
43617. A 100 Years since the Titanic: The Costa Concordia Grounding
- Author:
- Mansoureh Shahryari
- Publication Date:
- 01-2012
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Maritime Institute of Malaysia
- Abstract:
- The initial Safety of Life At Sea (SOLAS) Convention which dates back to 1914 was a direct consequence of the sinking of the Titanic two years earlier a century ago. The 100-year anniversary of the tragedy of the Titanic is the theme for the World Maritime Day 2012 proposed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). According to the former Secretary General of the IMO, Mr. Mitropoulos, this theme would provide an opportunity to take stock of improvements in maritime safety over the 100 years since the sinking of the liner, and examine whether the lessons drawn from one of the most costly (in terms of human lives lost) accidents have been applied.
- Topic:
- International Law, International Organization, Treaties and Agreements, and Maritime Commerce
43618. Unleashing the Nuclear Watchdog: Strengthening and Reform of the IAEA
- Author:
- Trevor Findlay
- Publication Date:
- 06-2012
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Centre for International Governance Innovation
- Abstract:
- The IAEA is the principal multilateral organization mandated by the international community to deal with nuclear issues. Established in 1957 and based in Vienna, it is essentially the nucleus around which all other parts of the global nuclear governance system revolve. The IAEA has attributes and roles that cannot be matched by other organizations, groups of states or individual states, no matter how powerful or influential: It is a standing, multilateral organization, with near universal membership and a science and technology orientation. Its nuclear safeguards system and associated verification activity, including in the service of the 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and nuclear weapon-free zones, is unparalleled.
- Topic:
- International Cooperation, Natural Disasters, Governance, and Nuclear Power
43619. Danish Foreign Policy Yearbook 2012
- Author:
- Hans Mouritzen (ed) and Nanna Hvidt (ed)
- Publication Date:
- 06-2012
- Content Type:
- Book
- Institution:
- Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS)
- Abstract:
- The Permanent Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs analyses Danish foreign-policy priorities in 2011. The troublesome situation for the global econ-omy, including an uncertain outlook for the future, was the most impor-tant backdrop for Danish foreign policy in that year. Low growth prospects, combined with high levels of public debt, had wide foreign-policy implica-tions, amongst other things for the agenda of the EU and as a result also for the preparations for the Danish EU Presidency in the first half of 2012. This article therefore takes its point of departure in the state of the global economy, the state of the European economies and the challenges that this presented to the EU. It then goes on to discuss the emerging world powers, the Arab Spring, the world's conflict areas, security policy, Denmark's north-ern neighbours and various global issues, such as development cooperation, green growth and human rights. Finally, some reflections are offered on the core tasks of the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs at a time when there is increased pressure on Denmark's public finances and the world influence of Denmark's traditional partners and allies is waning.
- Topic:
- Foreign Policy, Defense Policy, and Diplomacy
- Political Geography:
- Afghanistan, Europe, Middle East, Asia, Arab Countries, Denmark, and North Africa
43620. The P5 +1, Iran and the Perils of Nuclear Brinkmanship
- Publication Date:
- 06-2012
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- International Crisis Group
- Abstract:
- The nuclear negotiations between Iran and the West have had their share of dashed expectations, but even by this peculiar standard, the recent diplomatic roller coaster stands out. Brimming with hope in Istanbul, negotiators crashed to earth in Baghdad, a few weeks later. That was not unexpected, given inflated hopes, mismatched expectations and – most hurtful – conviction on both sides that they had the upper hand. But if negotiations collapse now, it is hard to know what comes next. Washington and Brussels seem to count on sanctions taking their toll and forcing Iran to compromise. Tehran appears to bank on a re-elected President Obama displaying more flexibility and an economically incapacitated Europe balking at sanctions that could boomerang. Neither is likely; instead, with prospects for a deal fading, Israeli pressure for a military option may intensify. Rather than more brinkmanship, Iran and the P5+1 (UN Security Council permanent members and Germany) should agree on intensive, continuous, technicallevel negotiations to achieve a limited agreement on Iran's 20 per cent enrichment.
- Topic:
- Conflict Prevention, Foreign Policy, Diplomacy, Nuclear Weapons, Treaties and Agreements, Weapons of Mass Destruction, and Nuclear Power
- Political Geography:
- Europe and Middle East