Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Panama and Peru, members of the Buenos Aires Group, received with great concern the Japanese government's announcement of its withdrawal from the International Whaling Commission, the only multilateral forum for the development of international agreements on the management and conservation of whale populations, and the coordination of highest-quality research.
The International Whaling Commission has fostered the creation of a significant framework for action for all its member countries, in addition to allowing and promoting scientific and technical developments that are of great importance for marine science and Earth's marine resources.
Through the work and operation of its Scientific Committee, which is internationally recognized for having the best scientists in the field and for the quality of its work, the International Whaling Commission has generated an unmatched body of knowledge regarding the populations of whales and other cetaceans, their long-term management and conservation.
Considering the continuing international interest in safeguarding for future generations the health of oceans and the important natural resource that whales represent, we receive Japan's decision, to the detriment of international agreements, with concern.
Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Panama and Peru hope that the Japanese government will continue cooperating with the international community, within the framework of international law, to strengthen dialogue and build consensus to allow the strengthening of the International Whaling Commission, and urge Japan to renew its commitment to the progress of this process.
