Holistic National Maritime Policy for Saudi Arabia - Essay Example

THE DEVELOPMENT OF A HOLISTIC NATIONAL MARITIME POLICY FOR SAUDI ARABIA The Sea is vitally important as the source of life and as aresource that offers possibilities for sustainable development. This paper addresses this potential. The "Rio Earth Summit" of 1992 addressed issues and challenges related to sustainable development at the global level. Chapter 17 of Agenda 21 called for new and integrated approaches to the sustainable development of oceans and coasts. There has since emerged an international trend towards the adoption of new approaches to marine policy based on a holistic, integrated and sustainable management of ocean resources at regional and national levels. Within this context, the first part of this paper analyzes contemporary international trends in marine policy; exploring this concept of a holistic approach to ocean governance and policy that has been established by international organizations, academia and specialists. The second part analyzes national and regional experiences, prospects and emerging practices with respect to the development of an integrated ocean policy. The third section of the paper examines the current management of maritime affairs in Saudi Arabia and explores how Saudi Arabia can work towards the development of a sustainable, holistic and integrated national maritime policy as part of a conceptually similar overarching marine policy. The paper concludes by showing that Saudi Arabia needs to develop an integrated national maritime policy which incorporates all aspects of the sector and enables a unified set of decision makers to coordinate activities and policies for the greater good of the maritime sector and Saudi Arabia. By so doing, Saudi Arabia can seize the very real opportunity that exists to ensure its long-term success as a nation whose fortunes are very much dependant on the seaways it controls. INTRODUCTION There is global concern about the impact that industry has on the world's oceans and how to support development of oceans and coasts without destroying the resources available. The interest in protecting resources and maintaining public order at sea was "codified in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea signed Dec. 10th 1982" (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2007). Since then interest in resources has been governed by this "constitution for the Oceans" (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2007). Contemporary trends have recognized that the current situation is one of unsustainable usage of the world's oceans and that a holistic approach to ocean usage would encourage sustainable usage of these resources. This paper addresses this potential. The "Rio Earth Summit" of 1992 addressed issues and challenges related to sustainable development at the global level. Chapter 17 of Agenda 21 called for new and integrated approaches to the sustainable development of oceans and coasts. There has since emerged an international trend towards the adoption of new approaches to marine policy based on a holistic, integrated and sustainable management of ocean resources at regional and national levels. Within this context, the first part of this paper analyzes contemporary international trends in marine policy; exploring this concept of a holistic approach to ocean governance and policy that has been established by international organizations, academia and specialists. The second part analyzes national and regional experiences, prospects and emerging practices with respect to the development of an integrated ocean policy. The third section of the paper examines the current management of maritime affairs in Saudi Arabia and explores how Saudi Arabia can work towards the development of a sustainable, holistic and integrated national maritime policy as part of a conceptually similar overarching marine policy. I. International Framework for Ocean Governance. Contemporary international trends in marine policy are leaning toward global governance of marine resources. The primary agent for governance is the United Nations. Policies that control the rule of law on the seas are primarily focused on international waters. Nations who have shore resources most often take responsibility for governing the rule of law within their country's waters. This is not necessarily true for countries at war such as Iraq. In this case the waters are patrolled by a coalition of forces in the area such as the United States and Great Britain. Countries that have regulations governing their territorial waters often have laws that are very similar to United Nation's policies so there is a natural overlapping of governance. Countries, such as Saudi Arabia, that have territorial waters are positioning themselves to take advantage of the global economy. Eco-Tourism is seen as a way to ensure future survival of the country as it plans ahead for the reduction in oil shipments that will eventually happen when oil resources are depleted. Countries that develop eco-tourism will benefit from policies that govern and protect the world's oceans now. 1. Law of the Sea Convention (LOSC). The United Nations Law of the Sea was signed on December 10th 1982 and is the United Nations effort to standardize the rule of law on the Seas. It governs "territorial waters, sea-lanes, and ocean resources" (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2007). This convention became law after 60 countries had ratified it in 1994 and since then 150 countries had ratified the convention. The convention codifies such international concerns as territorial waters (12 Nautical Miles beyond the coast of the country) and conduct of passage through sea lanes. A main function of this convention was to codify what was considered safe and innocent passage. Vessels are granted innocent passage in international waters unless their purpose breaks international law (drug smuggling for example). 2. Related Developments in International Law. Other attempts by the United Nations to bring rule to the seas and encourage trade with developing countries came in the form of United Nations sponsored programs. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) was established in 1964 and promoted trade and investment in developing countries. Meetings sponsored by UNCTAD have resulted in the Global System of Trade Preferences that lowers tariffs and other barriers to trade for developing countries. UNCTAD is headquartered in Geneva Switzerland and meets every four years to further discuss trade with developing nations and make changes to policies it has developed if necessary. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is another governing body that has the responsibility of ensuring safety and preventing pollution from ships. It was established in 1958 in response to safety concerns at sea. This is another United Nations organization. "One of the first treaties it was concerned with was SOLAS-the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea"(Angel, MV 2007). The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) is tasked with tracking yields from ocean fisheries. This helps prevent over fishing and keeps track of world fisheries' catches and trade. In June of 1992 the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development met in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil to "reconcile worldwide economic development with protection of the environment."(Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2007) This conference was well attended by World leaders from around the globe. The conference accomplished the signing of treaties that protected the World's natural resources especially non-renewable resources. II. International and Regional experiences Other countries such as Australia and Canada have maritime policies and legislation that govern the use and preservation of their territorial waters. Again, these country's policies overlap United Nations policies for preserving international resources. Their approach is mirrored around the world by countries who have attempted, through legislation, to preserve national natural resources. The European Union and its member states published a mandate that addresses national maritime policy in 2006. "The mandate has been to examine all economic activities of Europeans which are linked to or impact on the oceans and seas, as well as all the policies dealing with them, with a view to finding the best way to extract more benefit from the oceans in a sustainable manner."(European Commission On Maritime Policy) 1. National: he current national ocean policy trends: experiences, prospects National maritime policies in Saudi Arabia are set by the Ministry of Communication and the Saudi Seaports Organizations. These organizations oversee legislation and policy in the transport sector. They provide coordination between public and private and private organizations. The organizations propose policies and present them to the Ministry of Communication for approval. "Ministries and Central Government Agencies undertake decision-making and planning on the National level. Certain decisions are delegated to local authorities according to the task and role of this authority" (Sustainable Development, 2007). Maritime laws are created by Royal Decree and the Ministry of Communications is responsible for issuing licenses required to operate in the Saudi maritime environment. The First Saudi Arabian National Report on the Convention on Biological Diversity established that The Saudis intend to protect their natural resources while continuing to support a vibrant maritime business environment. 2) Regional: experiences, prospects A major concern for maritime traffic in the region is security. There is political instability in the region with the war in Iraq and controversy and discontent in Iran. "Kuwait and Saudi Arabia continue discussions on a maritime boundary with Iran; because the treaties have not been made public, the exact alignment of the boundary with the UAE is still unknown and labeled approximate" (Open-Site Organization, 2007). The relationship between ocean governance and ocean policy is that ocean policy is actually a part of ocean governance. Policies are developed and enforced by ocean governance. Ocean governance is a response to perceived problems that exist. Governance is the actions taken to support policies that have been put into place. Policies put into place give States a clear understanding of what is allowed or not allowed while operating at sea. States require an ocean governance framework and integrated national ocean policy to support safe passage of users of the maritime environment. States govern the 12 nautical mile limit that is defined as waters belonging to that state. Past the 12 nautical mile mark international law prevails. It is important to have agreed upon policies that can be enforced by whoever has jurisdiction of the area. III. The current management of maritime affairs in Saudi Arabia 1. Saudi Arabia's Maritime Jurisdiction: Saudi Arabia's maritime jurisdiction encompasses a coastline that is 2,640 kilometres and it maritime claims include a contiguous zone of 18 nautical miles. The country claims the territorial sea from the coast to 12 nautical miles out at sea. 2. Saudi Arabia's Maritime Resources: Much of Saudi Arabia's maritime resources are devoted to the transport of oil from the country. The oil sector provides much of the income for the country and many of the ports are the centre of the oil export business. A large part of the maritime traffic associated with Saudi Arabia consists of exports from the oil industry. Saudi Arabia's maritime environment contains a higher level of pollution than other countries because of the oil export business. Saudi Arabian fisheries had grown substantially since the 1970's. There has been a shift away from small boats to larger ones. 3. International Trade and Economic Goals: Currently approximately 50% of the country's economic development comes from the lucrative oil industry. Saudi Arabia is the primary supplier of oil to the United Sates and Europe. The country has eight refineries and is working to upgrade them. Saudi Arabia follows what are called "Five Year Plans" to set and meet the country's many goals including economic goals. Oil production remains Saudi Arabia's main economic focus because it is one of the world's major producers of oil. The manufacturing and mining sectors are growing. Saudi Arabia has been exploring its western regions where metallic minerals have been found. The country is also developing an industrial manufacturing sector. 4. Environmental Concerns: Saudi Arabia's oil refineries and oil export business has caused pollution levels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden to be higher than the world average. By upgrading its refineries the country is actively contributing to maintaining its natural resources. "Desertification; depletion of underground water resources; the lack of perennial rivers or permanent water bodies has prompted the development of extensive seawater desalination facilities; coastal pollution from oil spills."(Country Studies, 2007) Saudi Arabia is committed to environmental protection, especially when it comes to protecting non-renewable resources. The country has many United Nation's organizations that promote environmental protection. 5. Maritime Security and Safety Concerns: Saudi Arabia has had many concerns about safety and security of its maritime sector. The country played an unpopular role during the Gulf War by hosting foreign Army's on its soil to attack fellow Muslims. Discontent in the country remained after the war when some foreign troops remained. The American troops eventually moved all their operations to Qatar and discontent within the country dropped. Despite the movement out of the country of the foreign troops Saudi Arabia still has a major concern when it comes to terrorism as its ports, oil refineries, and shipping are vulnerable to attack. Saudi Arabia has attempted to provide political stability in the region to lesson security and safety concerns. In a speech to the to the Houston Maritime Association in 2004, Mazen I. Snobar , President and CEO, Aramco Services Companyin Saudi Arabia summed up their position: "Our company's security operations are a battle waged on two fronts - in the U.S. with the help of state and national agencies, industry groups, and maritime organizations, and at home in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Aramco has worked with the Saudi Arabian Coast Guard and the Ministry of Transportation to ensure that all of the country's port facilities are in full compliance with the maritime security requirements known as the ISPS code."(Snobar, MI 2004) Many other Saudi maritime companies face this same battle and strive to provide security for their operations. 6. Saudi Maritime Policy and Laws: The Saudi Ports Authority governs the maritime industry in Saudi Arabia. This organization lists rules and regulations that are intended to provide safety, security, and environmental protection to ports and shipping within Saudi Arabian ports and maritime jurisdictions. The Authority provides assessments to qualify individuals to work within the ports of Saudi Arabia. It also insures that equipment, infrastructures, and systems and services are available and they comply with international norms. The laws are put into place to support and ensure that the country's trade objectives are met. Another reason for the policies and laws are to provide a standard of operations for ports as well as to standardize the operations so that all port operations are conducted the same regardless of what port is used. The Saudi Ports Authority also maintains organizational membership in key United Nation's organizations and sets its rules and regulations to comply with United Nation's standards. Saudi Arabia is very interested in preserving its non-renewable resources and having an environmental protection program in place that insures the environment remains untainted for all generations. The Saudi Ports Authority supports environmental protection by providing rule and regulations. The organization also provides governance and has penalties for violations. Some of the rules and regulations in place govern compliance with environmental protection conventions, and outlines the plan to combat pollution of the seas. One of the most important functions of the ISPS Code is to prevent shipping containers and tankers from piracy. Standards are set for interactions with the port authority to detect and prevent terrorism. CONCLUSIONS: Saudi Arabia is well on its way to total integration into the global maritime environment by putting into place policies, procedures, rules, and regulations that standardize maritime operations not only in Saudi Arabia but in the world maritime environment. Saudi Arabia's participation in United Nations organizations such as UNCTAD, IMO, SOLAS, and the FAO make it more and more a part of the international maritime community. Saudi Arabia's continued membership in these organizations position the country well to take advantage of its major hold on the oil export market. Saudi Arabia is positioning itself to participate in other markets besides the oil industry. Although the country's oil resources will support the country for some time the Saudi state is well aware of the potential in the future for oil production to slow. The country is exploring its mineral resources, establishing industrial production, and taking advantage of its sea resources in the Fisheries industry. Saudi Arabia has had to politically tap dance in its region because of current conflict in the region. By supporting safety and security policies set by the United Nations and establishing similar policies for its ports the country has lowered their risk of being victims of terrorism. Bibliography: Angel, MV "International Maritime Organization"The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. Ed. I. C. B. Dear and Peter Kemp. Oxford University Press, 2007. Oxford Reference Online. 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