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Election of Dr Kathy Ann Brown to International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea ( ITLOS)

Date: 
Thursday, 27 August 2020

PRESS RELEASE: JAMAICA’S DR. KATHY-ANN BROWN ELECTED MEMBER OF THE INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL FOR THE LAW OF THE SEA

 

Dr. Kathy-Ann Brown, currently the Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the International Seabed Authority headquartered in Kingston, Jamaica, has been elected to serve as a member of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) for the term 2020 to 2029. The election took place at the United Nations in New York between 24th to 26th August 2020, at the 30th Meeting of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.  Her term of office will commence on 1st October 2020, at a swearing-in of the newly-elected judges.

Dr. Kathy-Ann Brown’s election to this high office is historic, as she will be the first Jamaican and the first black woman to serve on the Tribunal.  She joins other newly elected judges from China, Chile, Cameroon, and Italy who will serve on the Tribunal for the term 2020 – 2029.  Judge Attard of Malta and Judge Kulyk of Ukraine were re-elected and will continue to serve on the Tribunal.

ITLOS is an independent judicial body established by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to resolve disputes arising out of the interpretation and application of the Convention. The Tribunal is composed of 21 independent members, elected from among persons enjoying the highest reputation for fairness and integrity and of recognized competence in the field of the law of the sea.

Given Jamaica’s historical connection to the development and practice of the Law of the Sea, including that the Law of the Sea Convention was concluded  at Montego Bay in 1982,  Jamaica was particularly honoured to present Dr. Brown as Jamaica’s and CARICOM’s endorsed candidate to the ITLOS.

 

Permanent Mission of Jamaica to the United Nations

26th August 2020

NEW YORK