UNCLOSsopimukset

UNCLOSsopimukset (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, or UNCLOS) is an international treaty that establishes a comprehensive legal framework governing the use and protection of the world's oceans and their resources. Adopted by the United Nations in 1982, it came into force in 1994 and is often referred to as the "constitution for the ocean." The convention aims to balance the interests of maritime nations by setting rules on navigational rights, territorial waters, exclusive economic zones (EEZs), continental shelf rights, and environmental conservation.

UNCLOS divides the oceans into several zones, defining the rights and responsibilities of coastal states and other users. Territorial waters extend up to 12 nautical miles from a country's coastline, within which states have sovereignty. The EEZ extends up to 200 nautical miles from the coast, granting states exclusive rights to exploit marine resources, including fish and mineral deposits. The convention also establishes the concept of the continental shelf, allowing coastal states to claim rights over the seabed beyond their EEZ for resource extraction.

The treaty includes provisions for dispute resolution, environmental protection, marine scientific research, and the conservation of marine biodiversity. Key institutions established by UNCLOS include the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, which oversee the implementation and interpretation of the treaty's provisions.

Participation in UNCLOS is nearly universal, with over 160 countries ratifying or acceding to it, making it a fundamental legal instrument governing international maritime conduct. While some states, including the United States, have signed but not ratified the treaty, UNCLOS remains a significant framework influencing maritime law and policy worldwide.