ROMSO Cyprus Knowledge Base

**United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea**

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is an international treaty that defines the rights and responsibilities of states regarding their use of the world's oceans. It is considered one of the most important multilateral treaties in history, often described as the "Constitution of the Oceans."

**History**

The convention was adopted after nine years of work on 30 April 1982 in New York, United States. It was opened for signature by states on 10 December 1982, at the 182nd plenary session of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea, held in Jamaica. The treaty entered into force on 16 November 1994, one year after the sixtieth ratification (by Guyana).

**Background**

The concept of freedom of the seas dates back to Hugo Grotius' work "Mare liberum" (Free Sea), published in the 17th century. According to Grotius, the seas could not be subject to appropriation because they were not susceptible to occupation, like land, and therefore should be free for all ("freedom of the seas"). This idea was based on principles of Roman law.

**Key Provisions**

The convention established guiding principles for business, environment, and marine natural resource management. It replaced the Four-Party Treaty of 1958 and has been ratified by 167 states and the European Union as of June 2016. The extent to which the convention codifies customary international law is unclear.

**Implementation**

The United Nations Secretary-General receives instruments of ratification and accession, and the organization provides support for meetings of parties to the treaty.