📑 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, article 17, paragraph 1:
Subject to this Convention, ships of all States, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea.
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is a comprehensive international treaty that establishes a legal framework for all marine and maritime activities. It was adopted in 1982 and entered into force in 1994. UNCLOS is often referred to as the "constitution of the oceans" because it sets out rules for the use of the world's oceans and their resources.
Territorial Waters: Coastal states have sovereignty over their territorial waters, which extend up to 12 nautical miles from the baseline. Foreign vessels have the right of innocent passage through these waters.
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): States have sovereign rights over their EEZ, extending up to 200 nautical miles from the baseline, for the purpose of exploring and exploiting natural resources.
Continental Shelf: States have rights over the continental shelf, which can extend beyond the EEZ, for the purpose of exploring and exploiting natural resources.
High Seas: The high seas are open to all nations, with freedom of navigation, overflight, and the laying of submarine cables and pipelines.
Archipelagic Waters: Archipelagic states have sovereignty over waters enclosed by straight baselines drawn between the outermost points of the outermost islands.
Environmental Protection: UNCLOS emphasizes the protection and preservation of the marine environment, including measures to prevent pollution and protect marine life.
Dispute Resolution: The convention provides mechanisms for resolving disputes related to its interpretation and application, including the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.
Global Governance: UNCLOS provides a framework for international cooperation on ocean management and resource use.
Economic Benefits: It facilitates the exploitation of marine resources while promoting sustainable development.
Environmental Conservation: The convention supports efforts to protect marine ecosystems and biodiversity.
As of October 2024, UNCLOS has 170 parties, including the European Union. It continues to play a crucial role in managing global ocean resources and promoting sustainable use of the marine environment.
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