~ UNCLOS is the globally recognized framework for all matters related to the law of the sea ~
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) led a bipartisan group of their Senate colleagues in reintroducing a resolution urging the U.S. Senate to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). UNCLOS, which has been ratified by 170 parties, defines the rights and responsibilities of nations regarding the world’s oceans—including guidelines for businesses and the management of marine natural resources—and provides a legal framework to protect those rights while avoiding conflict. In addition to Senators Hirono and Murkowski, the resolution was cosponsored by Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Todd Young (R-IN), and Angus King (I-ME).
“Ratifying UNCLOS will enable the U.S. to engage in important international conversations about our oceans and seas,” said Senator Hirono. “This is a crucial, long overdue step that would help strengthen our national security, expand oceanic access for maritime industries, and support ocean conservation efforts. It has been decades since UNCLOS took effect, and now is the time for Congress to finally ratify it.”
“For 31 years, the United States has sat on the sidelines while the rest of the world set the international agenda for the maritime domain, advancing their priorities in everything from deep seabed mining to critical subsea infrastructure,” said Senator Murkowski. “Our adversaries continue to exploit the power vacuum left by our absence, illegally encroaching on territory and capitalizing on opportunities beyond their current exclusive economic zones. Resource development, labor, scientific, and environmental organizations–and former DOD leadership–have long advocated for the United States to ratify UNCLOS. It’s past time we assert ourselves and step into this international leadership role.”
UNCLOS is a comprehensive legal framework governing all uses of the world’s oceans and seas, and their resources. It also allows for further development of specific areas of the law of the sea. It is the globally recognized framework for dealing with all matters relating to the law of the sea, governing areas including, but not limited to, environmental control, marine scientific research, economic and commercial activities, and the settlement of disputes relating to ocean matters.
The treaty was opened for signature on December 10, 1982 and was entered into force on November 16, 1994. The United States signed UNCLOS on July 29, 1994, but the U.S. Senate has not yet voted to ratify the treaty, despite urging from environmental, scientific, labor, and industry organizations.
“Ensuring freedom of navigation is critical to protecting our economic and national security,” said Senator Kaine, Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower. “The U.S. should not sit on the sidelines when it comes to this important issue, and that’s why I’m calling on my colleagues to ratify UNCLOS.”
“By sitting on the sidelines of UNCLOS, we are undercutting our ability to protect our national security and commercial interests at sea while allowing our adversaries to establish the maritime order on their terms. It’s been three decades since this convention took effect, and it is long past time for the U.S. to ratify it in order to support our efforts to ensure international freedom of navigation and the security of our waters,” said Senator Van Hollen.
“The United States cannot cede global leadership on these critical maritime issues to China,” said Senator Young. “We need a seat at the table to ensure American economic and national security interests are properly represented.”
“America is an Arctic Nation, but as we fail to assert our rights on the global stage, we allow rival countries to seize opportunities in our maritime territory that should rightfully be ours,” said U.S. Senate Arctic Caucus Co-Chair Senator Angus King (I-ME). “Signing on to the United Nation Convention on the Law of the Sea would give us our rightful seat at the table for international conversations about territorial rights, navigation, environmental protections and economic opportunities – especially in the race for critical minerals that will unlock our technological future. Every military official and diplomatic appointee I have met with has said that America joining the Law of the Sea Treaty would assist in advancing America’s interests, increase our supply chain resilience, and strengthen our national security. The High North offers historical possibilities for America’s future, but we are holding ourselves back by standing still.”
This resolution has been previously introduced by Senators Hirono and Murkowski in the 116th, 117th, and 118th Congresses.
The full text of the resolution is available here.
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