The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is an international agreement that addresses legal issues regarding the rights and responsibilities of nations in their use of the world's oceans, established in 1982 after nine years of negotiations. Over 160 nations are parties to the agreement, which governs navigation, territorial sea limits, economic jurisdiction, legal status of resources on the seabed beyond national jurisdiction, and environmental control of marine pollution. While not perfect, UNCLOS is hailed as an important achievement in establishing a comprehensive international treaty regulating the use of the oceans.

2. • The united nations convention on the law
of the sea has several names forthis
agreement. They include Law of the Sea,
orLOS.
• Over160 nations participate and the
conference lasted until 1982.

4. • In the 17th Century,
limited national rights
and jurisdiction over
certain waters, the rest
of the sea being free to
all and belonging to
none
• Technological
development occurred in
the mid- 19th and early-
20th century.
• Ships become more
powerful, but technology
• To protect local resources
the nations began
expanding theirclaims of
sovereignty beyond the
traditional 3 mile limit.

6. • The convention
addressed several
provisions and significant
issues including- setting
limits, navigation;
exclusive economic
zones (EEZ); continental
shelf jurisdiction; deep
seabed mining; the
exploitation regime;
protection of the marine
environment; scientific
research; and settlement
of disputes.
• Although there are still
many issues unsettled
• With the 160 nations
participation the
deliberations lasted for
nine years, and
concluded in 1982 with
the United Nations
Convention on the Law
of the Sea, commonly
referred to as “UNCLOS”
orthe Law of the Sea
Treaty
• UNCLOS had to prevent
reservations orrisk
maintaining a fractured
regime, in orderto
establish a unified law of

8. • There are a numberof references to
environmental duties and obligation
within the treaty, although UNCLOS is not
an environmental treaty, it frequently
addressed environmental concerns. It has
an entire section dedicated to the
protection and preservation of the marine
environment.

10. • Excluding the United States there are presently there
are 160 nations that have ratified UNCLOS.
• There have been a few criticisms towards UNCLOS
although it is generally hailed as a monumental
achievement in the arena of international law. One of
the most often heard criticisms is the treaty’s reliance
upon national legislation to implement its provisions.

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