UNCLOS stands for the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which is an international treaty that aims to establish a comprehensive legal framework for the governance of the world's oceans and seas. It was adopted in 1982 and entered into force in 1994, with over 160 countries currently being party to the convention.
UNCLOS defines the rights and responsibilities of nations concerning the use and conservation of the world's marine resources, the protection of the marine environment, and the settlement of disputes related to the seas. It sets out the legal regime for the establishment of maritime boundaries, including the rights of coastal states over their territorial seas, exclusive economic zones, and continental shelves.
Under UNCLOS, coastal states have sovereignty over the waters within 12 nautical miles (22.2 kilometers) from their coastlines, known as territorial seas. Additionally, they have exclusive economic zones spanning up to 200 nautical miles (370.4 kilometers) from their shorelines, where they have rights to explore and exploit natural resources and exercise control over marine activities. UNCLOS also recognizes the rights and freedoms of navigation and overflight for all states, as well as ensuring the protection and preservation of fragile marine ecosystems.
UNCLOS was developed to promote peaceful cooperation, ensure the equitable and sustainable use of ocean resources, and prevent conflicts over maritime boundaries. It has been regarded as a crucial instrument in international maritime law, providing a legal framework for the governance of the world's oceans and seas that balances the rights and interests of coastal states, landlocked nations, and the international community as a whole.
