On Friday, 24 June 2011, delegates to the twelfth session of the UN Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea (Consultative Process or ICP-12) met in a plenary session throughout the day to consider the outcome of the meeting.

In the morning, the session was suspended while the draft Co-Chairs' Summary Report was distributed for delegates to consider. Plenary then convened for most of the day, and delegates offered their input on the draft Summary Report. After all paragraphs of the report had been discussed, participants briefly turned their attention to Co-Chairs' proposed elements. After noting that no consensus could be reached on the document, except for the importance of ensuring the elements relating to SIDS be reflected in the Co-Chairs' Summary Report, the Co-Chairs offered closing remarks, and Co-Chair Don MacKay, New Zealand, gaveled the conference to a close at 5:09pm.

Full web coverage available here: 24 June

On Thursday, delegates to the twelfth meeting of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea (Consultative Process or ICP-12) convened in a plenary session involving a presentation on inter-agency cooperation and coordination, and discussions on the process for the selection of topics and panelists so as to facilitate the work of the UN General Assembly, and issues that could benefit from attention in future work of the UN General Assembly.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:40am to allow time for the Secretariat to produce two documents: a list of elements that could benefit from attention at Rio+20; and the Co-Chairs' Summary report.

Full web coverage available here: 23 June

On Wednesday, delegates to the twelfth meeting of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea (Consultative Process or ICP-12) heard a summary report of the international earth system expert workshop on ocean stresses and impacts.

Participants then convened in a discussion panel on new and emerging challenges for the sustainable development and use of oceans and seas.

In the morning and early afternoon, presentations and discussions were held on: global warming as a new and emerging challenge to the sustainable use of marine fish resources; a legal perspective on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity within and beyond the limits of national jurisdiction, including marine genetic resources; and new and emerging challenges.

Also in the afternoon, delegates convened in a discussion panel on the road to Rio+20 and beyond with presentations held on: achieving a significant outcome on oceans; and a blueprint for overcoming poverty and attaining sustainable growth and equity.

Full web coverage available here: 22 June

On Tuesday, delegates to the twelfth meeting of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea (Consultative Process or ICP-12) convened in a discussion panel on the overview of progress to date and the remaining gaps in the implementation of relevant oceans and seas outcomes of the major summits on sustainable development

In the morning, presentations were made and a discussion was held on: progress and gaps in marine scientific research, emerging challenges and links between science and policy making; remaining gaps and challenges in capacity building and transfer of technology to implement the ocean-related outcomes of the relevant summits; and implementation of the ocean-related outcomes affecting the social aspects of fisheries.

This panel continued in the afternoon with presentations on: deep-sea research and international ocean governance; assessment of progress in marine pollution control and challenges; and the integrated management of the oceans and seas, including coral reefs.

Full web coverage available here: 21 June

The twelfth meeting of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea opened on Monday, 20 June 2011, at UN Headquarters in New York.

In the morning, delegates convened in plenary to address organizational matters and hear opening remarks from Patricia O'Brien, Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs, and Sha Zukang, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs.

They then exchanged views on contributing to the assessment of progress to date and the remaining gaps in the implementation of the outcomes of the major summits on sustainable development, in the context of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD or Rio+20), and addressing new and emerging challenges.

In the afternoon, views from additional States and from Civil Society were followed by a discussion panel on "Sustainable development, oceans and the law of the sea."

Full web coverage available here: 20 June