The Nigeria-São Tomé and Príncipe Joint Development Agreement

Speaker: Abikoye Oluwatoyosi

Discussants: Edwin Egede

The PhD Workshop will take place online and it is an opportunity for researchers and PhD students to meet up and foster a scientific community at NOVA School of Law.

In this PhD Workshop, Olúwatóyọ̀sí Abikoye, PhD Candidate at Nova School of Law, will speak about “The Nigeria-Sao Tome and Principe Joint Development Agreement”. She will be joined by a discussant: Professor Edwin Egede, Professor of International Law & International Relations at the University of Cardiff.

Abstract:

“As far back as the 15th century, prominent scholars made attempts to settle the political and economic nature of the oceans by laying two foundational principles known as Mare Liberum (freedom of the sea) and Mare clausum (Territorial sovereignty). These principles gained legal prominence and were retained by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, 1982 (UNCLOS) as the framework for the delimitation of maritime boundaries and the recognition of ocean resources beyond national jurisdictions as the common heritage of mankind. However, there began to emerge diverse interests not contemplated in UNCLOS as the world advanced in modern technology and more nations began to make unilateral claims in overlapping maritime zones. This presentation will interrogate the continued relevance of the doctrines of freedom of the seas and territorial sovereignty viz-a-viz Articles 74(3) and 83(3) of UNCLOS in the delimitation of overlapping maritime boundaries. It will propose a perspective to expand the concept of Joint Development Agreements under these Articles to cover other ocean resources that have been marginalised. This is an innovative way to encourage the implementation of JDAs and attain climate justice for Africa while also boosting Africa’s contribution to the UN SDGs on the oceans.”

Coordinators: Simone Antonio Luciano