THIRTY years ago, the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which established the International Seabed Authority, was opened for signature in Montego Bay, Jamaica; on July 21 this year, the historic event was commemorated with the unveiling of a plaque in the meeting area where the Convention was placed for signature.

Delegates attending the 18th session of the Authority in Kingston made the journey to the western resort city to witness the plaque's unveiling by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Jamaica Senator A J Nicholson and Secretary General of the International Seabed Authority Nii Odunton.

Organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the hour-long ceremony was chaired by Ambassador Raymond Wolfe, permanent representative of Jamaica to the International Seabed Authority. Others in attendance included Councillor Suzette Brown of the St James Parish Council, representing the mayor of Montego Bay; Satya Nandan, the first secretary general of the Authority, and Chair of the 30th Anniversary Planning Committee Coy Roache, who is also deputy permanent representative of Jamaica to the Authority.