United Nations Convention on Law of Sea 1982
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The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is an international treaty that provides a comprehensive legal framework for the governance of the world's oceans and seas. It was adopted on December 10, 1982, and entered into force on November 16, 1994. UNCLOS is often referred to as the constitution for the oceans due to its extensive coverage of various aspects of maritime affairs. Here are key features and provisions of UNCLOS:
Territorial sea and contiguous zone: UNCLOS recognises a coastal state's sovereignty over a territorial sea extending up to 12 nautical miles (nm) from its baselines. The contiguous zone, an additional 12 nm beyond the territorial sea, allows a coastal state to exercise limited control to prevent and punish certain offences.
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): UNCLOS establishes an EEZ extending up to 200 nm from the baselines of coastal states. Within this zone, coastal states have sovereign rights over the exploration and exploitation of natural resources, both living and non-living, as well as jurisdiction over environmental protection and scientific research.
Continental shelf: UNCLOS recognises the rights of coastal states to explore and exploit the natural resources of the continental shelf beyond their territorial seas. The outer limit of the continental shelf is determined by the coastal state's extended continental shelf submissions, subject to review by the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf.
High seas: UNCLOS guarantees the freedom of navigation on the high seas, which are areas beyond any national jurisdiction. It also provides for the conservation and management of living resources in the high seas, including the regulation of fishing activities.
International seabed area: UNCLOS establishes the International Seabed Authority (ISA) as the organization responsible for managing and regulating activities related to deep-sea mining in the international seabed area, beyond national jurisdiction. It ensures the equitable sharing of benefits derived from such activities.
Marine environment: UNCLOS contains provisions for the protection and preservation of the marine environment, including obligations to prevent and control pollution from land-based sources, vessels, and activities in the marine environment.
Navigation: UNCLOS guarantees the right of innocent passage for foreign ships through the territorial sea, subject to certain conditions. It also establishes rules and regulations for navigation, including the rights and obligations of ships and coastal states.
Dispute settlement: UNCLOS provides for peaceful settlement of disputes related to its interpretation or application. Disputes can be resolved through negotiations, mediation, arbitration, or adjudication before the International Court of Justice or an ad hoc arbitral tribunal.
UNCLOS has been ratified by over 160 countries, including major maritime powers. It is widely regarded as the primary legal instrument governing the rights and obligations of states in the world's oceans and has had a significant impact on the development of international maritime law.
Territorial sea and contiguous zone: UNCLOS recognises a coastal state's sovereignty over a territorial sea extending up to 12 nautical miles (nm) from its baselines. The contiguous zone, an additional 12 nm beyond the territorial sea, allows a coastal state to exercise limited control to prevent and punish certain offences.
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): UNCLOS establishes an EEZ extending up to 200 nm from the baselines of coastal states. Within this zone, coastal states have sovereign rights over the exploration and exploitation of natural resources, both living and non-living, as well as jurisdiction over environmental protection and scientific research.
Continental shelf: UNCLOS recognises the rights of coastal states to explore and exploit the natural resources of the continental shelf beyond their territorial seas. The outer limit of the continental shelf is determined by the coastal state's extended continental shelf submissions, subject to review by the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf.
High seas: UNCLOS guarantees the freedom of navigation on the high seas, which are areas beyond any national jurisdiction. It also provides for the conservation and management of living resources in the high seas, including the regulation of fishing activities.
International seabed area: UNCLOS establishes the International Seabed Authority (ISA) as the organization responsible for managing and regulating activities related to deep-sea mining in the international seabed area, beyond national jurisdiction. It ensures the equitable sharing of benefits derived from such activities.
Marine environment: UNCLOS contains provisions for the protection and preservation of the marine environment, including obligations to prevent and control pollution from land-based sources, vessels, and activities in the marine environment.
Navigation: UNCLOS guarantees the right of innocent passage for foreign ships through the territorial sea, subject to certain conditions. It also establishes rules and regulations for navigation, including the rights and obligations of ships and coastal states.
Dispute settlement: UNCLOS provides for peaceful settlement of disputes related to its interpretation or application. Disputes can be resolved through negotiations, mediation, arbitration, or adjudication before the International Court of Justice or an ad hoc arbitral tribunal.
UNCLOS has been ratified by over 160 countries, including major maritime powers. It is widely regarded as the primary legal instrument governing the rights and obligations of states in the world's oceans and has had a significant impact on the development of international maritime law.
