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THE CONVENTION | Current status of the Convention | |||||||||
Historical Background | FULL TEXTS OF THE CONVENTION | site | ||||||||
The Convention - A historical perspective | Full text of the Convention together with the Final Act of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea - | Consolidated table of ratifications/accessions, etc. (pdf format) | ||||||||
"A Constitution for the Oceans"
Remarks by Tommy T.B. Koh, of Singapore, President of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea English | Français | Español | Arabic | Chinese | Russian |
English (htm) |
English (pdf)
Français (pdf)
Español (pdf) |
Arabic (pdf)
Chinese (pdf) Russian (pdf) |
Chronological list of ratifications/accessions/successions (E/F) | |||||||
FINAL ACT OF THE THIRD UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON THE LAW OF THE SEA | Declarations made upon signature/ratification/accession/succession | |||||||||
English (pdf) | IMPLEMENTING AGREEMENTS | Settlement of disputes mechanism | ||||||||
Français (pdf) | Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI | Choice of procedure under article 287 | ||||||||
Español (pdf) | Russian (pdf) | 1995 United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement | Lists of conciliators and arbitrators | |||||||
Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction | Lists of experts | |||||||||
1982-2012: 30th ANNIVERSARY OF UNCLOS | ||||||||||
30th ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF THE SEA 1982-2012 | ||||||||||
1982-2007: 25th ANNIVERSARY OF UNCLOS | ||||||||||
1982-2007: 25th anniversary of the conclusion of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982
(DOALOS/UNITAR briefing; DOALOS/UNU forum) |
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1982-2002: 20th ANNIVERSARY OF UNCLOS | ||||||||||
1982-2002: 20th anniversary of the conclusion of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982
(Oceans: the source of life; DOALOS/UNITAR briefing; etc.) |
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The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea lays down a comprehensive regime of law and order in the world's oceans and seas establishing rules governing all uses of the oceans and their resources. It enshrines the notion that all problems of ocean space are closely interrelated and need to be addressed as a whole.
The Convention was opened for signature on 10 December 1982 in Montego Bay, Jamaica. This marked the culmination of more than 14 years of work involving participation by more than 150 countries representing all regions of the world, all legal and political systems and the spectrum of socio/economic development. At the time of its adoption, the Convention embodied in one instrument traditional rules for the uses of the oceans and at the same time introduced new legal concepts and regimes and addressed new concerns. The Convention also provided the framework for further development of specific areas of the law of the sea. The Convention entered into force in accordance with its article 308 on 16 November 1994, 12 months after the date of deposit of the sixtieth instrument of ratification or accession. Today, it is the globally recognized regime dealing with all matters relating to the law of the sea. The Convention (full text) comprises 320 articles and nine annexes, governing all aspects of ocean space, such as delimitation, environmental control, marine scientific research, economic and commercial activities, transfer of technology and the settlement of disputes relating to ocean matters.
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