7 Countries Sign the United Nations Convention on the International Effects of Judicial Sales of Ships at Verdala Castle, Malta
Wednesday 19th June 19th, 2024, marked a historic day for the Comité Maritime International as it participated in the second signing ceremony of the United Nations Convention on the International Effects of Judicial Sales of Ships. This significant event was held under the auspices of the President of the Republic of Malta.
The Celebratory Event was held by the Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade in conjunction with the United Nations and the Comité Maritime International (CMI).
Following the European Union’s signature of the Convention on March 14th 2024, Member States were permitted to sign. Today, five EU Member States—Croatia, Cyprus, Italy, Malta, and Spain—signed the Convention.
In addition to the EU Member States, Côte d’Ivoire and Antigua and Barbuda also became signatories, increasing the total number to 26 signatories.
This momentous event took place against the stunning backdrop of Verdala Castle. Verdala Castle was constructed in 1586 by Grandmaster de Verdalle and used as a hunting retreat by the Knights of St John. Over the years, it also served as a military prison under the French and as the summer residence of British governors in the 19th century.
The Signing Ceremony was addressed by H.E. Myriam Spiteri Debono, President of Malta; Hon. Ian Borg, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade of Malta; Mr José Angelo Estrella Faria, Principal Legal Officer and Head of the Legislative Branch, International Trade Law Division, United Nations Office of Legal Affairs; Dr. Ann Fenech, President of the Comité Maritime International; Hon. Chris Bonett, Minister for Transport, Infrastructure, and Public Works of Malta; Mr. Richard Sonnenschein, Director for Justice Policies, DG Justice and Consumers, European Commission; Dr. Dorota Lost-Sieminska, Director, Legal Affairs and External Relations Division, International Maritime Organization; and Hon. Jonathan Attard, Minister for Justice and Reform of the Construction Sector of Malta.
Below you can view the agenda, information brochure, concept note, the resolution adopted by the General Assembly, the President of the CMI’s Speech and the Lloyd’s List special feature on this special day.
Programme Signing Ceremony Malta
Concept Note Signing Ceremony Malta
GA Resolution Adopting Convention
CMI President Speech Signing Ceremony Malta
List of Individual Speakers
H.E Myriam Spiteri Debono, President of Malta – Welcome Address
Honourable Ian Borg, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade, Malta – Keynote Address
Mr Jose Angelo Estrella-Faria, Principal Legal Officer, Head Legislative Branch, International Trade Law Division, United Nations Office of Legal Affairs – Keynote Address
Dr Ann Fenech, President, Comite Maritime International – Keynote Address
Honourable Chris Bonett, Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works, Malta – Keynote Address
Mr Richard Sonnenschein, Director for Justice Policies, DG Justice and Consumers, European Commission – Keynote Address
Dr Dorota Lost-Sieminska, Director, Legal Affairs and External Relations Division, International Maritime Organisation – Keynote Address
Honourable Jonathan Attard, Minister for Justice and Reform of the Construction Sector, Malta – Keynote Address
Signing Ceremony
Officiated by Mr David Nanopoulos, Chief of the Treaty Section Office of Legal Affairs, United Nations
Malta signing the Convention
Antigua and Barbuda signing the Convention
Côte d’Ivoire signing the Convention
Cyprus signing the Convention
Italy signing the Convention
Spain signing the Convention
Croatia signing the Convention