The U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is a set of rules for the use of the world's oceans, which cover 70 percent of the Earth's surface. The Convention was concluded in 1982 to replace a group of treaties adopted in 1958 that were out of date and unfavorable to America's economy and security. UNCLOS came into force in 1994, and to date, 159 countries and the European Union have joined the treaty. As of yet, the United States has not. To continue reading...

 

 

 

 

• "Sen. Kerry looks for window to ratify Law of the Sea"  The New York Times, May 17, 2009
• "US 'committed' to ratifying Law of Sea Convention: Clinton" - Associated Press, April 7, 2009
• 5 Former Diplomats encourage James L. Jones, President Obama's National Security Advisor to ratify the United States Law of the Sea.

• CGS Answers YOUR Questions about the Law of the Sea Why should we ratify UNCLOS? What does it matter? Does anyone actually support it? Who exactly are the supporters? What U.S. laws would actually have to change? Find answers to these questions, a comprehensive list of supporters from the business community, NGO community, and the government and more!
• Senate Testimony by Citizens for Global Solutions CEO Don Kraus
• Citizens for Global Solutions Brief on Myths and Facts about the Law of the Sea, 2007 (PDF)
• Interview with Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) from Citizens for Global Solutions Spring 2004 Newsletter
• Blogs on "Law of the Sea" on our website

• The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Official treaty website - Contains treaty text, status.
• Final Act of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea
• Full Text of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
• Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hearing on the Law of the Sea, Oct 2007, Click here to read testimony from U.S. Senators, Ambassasdors, and NGO representatives on this important treaty.
• U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hearing on the United Nations Law of the Sea, October 21, 2003, Read testimony from prominent officials from a variety of organizations on the importance of ratification of the Law of the Sea.
• U.S. Senate Environment & Public Works Committee Hearing on the United Nations Law of the Sea Treaty, March 23, 2004, Click here to read testimony from U.S. Senators, Ambassasdors, and NGO representatives on this important treaty.
• U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing on the Military Implications of the United Nations Law of the Sea Treaty, April 8, 2004, Click here to read testimony from United States military officials, Ambassadors, and academics on the implications of U.S. Law of the Sea Ratification.
• U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hearing, September 27, 2007 with Deputy Secretary of State Negroponte, Deputy Secretary of Defense England, and Admiral Patrick Walsh - opening statements, tesitmony, and video available
• Foreign Relations Hearing, October 4, 2007 with Admiral Vern Clark, USN (Ret.), Mr. Bernard Oxman, Mr. Frank Gaffney, Mr. Fred Smith, Mr. Paul Kelly, Mr. Joseph Cox, and Mr. Douglas Burnett - opening statements, tesitmony, and video available.

• Law of the Sea Convention: Should the U.S. Ratify? Brookings Institution, June 22, 2004 (PDF)
• Why should America care?
• Foreign Policy in Focus Commentary Time to Ratify the Law of the Sea - Don Kraus
• Chatanooga Times Editorial urging Sen. Frist to call for vote on ratification, 2007 (PDF)
• Center for Oceans Law and Policy
• Senator Lugar's work on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
• Rule of Law Committee for the Oceans
• Center for American Progress Progress Report
• Background on the LOS
• Support the LOS with the World Wildlife Fund!

• Citizens for Global Solutions sign-on letter, placed in Roll Call, May 12, 2004 (PDF)
• Navy League Presidential Message calling Law of the Sea essential for U.S. Naval Power 

• Law of the Sea on the Shoals, Open Left, October 26, 2007
• A Progressive Foreign Policy Emerges: Bolton, Burma, and the Law of the Sea, Open Left, October 15, 2007
• John Bolton Leading Black Helicopter Crowd Against the U.S. Navy, Taylor Marsh, October 26, 2007
• Mitt's Not the Only Republican Flip Floppin' Fool - Coleman, Sununu & Voinovich Turn Around on Treaty, Down With Tyranny, October 26, 2007
• Why We Should Care About the Law of the Sea, The Washington Note, October 10, 2007
• What Would Reagan Do? The Washington Note, October 24, 2007
• Bolton Supported the Law of the Sea Before he Opposed it, The Washington Note, September 28, 2007
• Gaffney Lost on Law of the Sea, The UN Dispatch, October 3, 2007
• The UNCLOS Battle, The UN Dispatch, October 11, 2007

Scott Borgeson, visiting Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations has spent several months developing a report on the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea. It has finally been published in good timing with Senate activities. The report is a pragmatic look at the Law of the Sea from groups that are affected by U.S. non participation and that regularly use the sea.

This report provides:

• Historical background on the Law of the Sea and its life in the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee
• Arguments for and against the Law of the Sea Convention
• United States National Security, Economic, and Environmental Interests
• How remaining outside the Convention damages U.S. national interests
• And a final discussion of critical concerns about the Convention

This 124 page document includes:

• Talking Points and Background Info
• What U.S. Officials are Saying
• Organizational and Business Support
• Law of the Sea in the Media
• Links to More Information (treaty text, etc.)