Indian Scientist Re-Elected to UN Entity on Ocean Affairs

UNITED NATIONS (NNN-Bernama) -- In a keenly contested election, eminent Indian scientist, Sivaramakrishnan Rajan has been re-elected to an entity under the United Nation's body focussed on oceans and law of the sea, the Press Trust of India (PTI) reported.

Rajan was India's candidate to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS), which is tasked with facilitating implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

He will serve as member of the Commission for a five-year term from 2012-17.

Rajan obtained 112 of the 161 valid votes cast in the first round at a meeting of the State Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on Wednesday.

The election was keenly contested in the Asia-Pacific group with eight candidates in the fray for five seats.

A member of the Commission since June 2007, Rajan is presently working with Goa-based National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research.

The Commission consists of 21 members, who are experts in the field of geology,geophysics or hydrography, and are elected for a five year term by States Parties to the Convention from among their nationals. -- NNN-BERNAMA