GENERAL5 Sept 2026
‘UN Convention on the Law of the Sea is still the constitution of oceans’
Magsaysay award winner Tommy Koh says the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, or UNCLOS, remains the world's ocean constitution. He helped lead over 150 nations to adopt it in 1982. Today, 172 countries follow it. Even the US, which hasn't ratified it, treats it as authoritative. This matters for settling maritime disputes peacefully, by rules rather than force.
Key Statutory Highlights
- Tommy Koh won a Ramon Magsaysay award for his role in building UNCLOS.
- As conference president, he led more than 150 nations to adopt UNCLOS in 1982.
- 172 countries are parties, and even the US, a non-party, treats UNCLOS as the authoritative law of the sea.
Actionable Advice for Taxpayers / Founders:If your business depends on shipping, fishing, or seabed activity, keep track of maritime dispute rules under UNCLOS and take legal advice before acting on any ocean-rights claim.
Statutory Disclaimer: TaxQue Shorts are AI-assisted editorial briefs for compliance awareness. This brief has not passed every source check; confirm the original notification before acting. This does not constitute formal legal or CA counsel.
TaxQue News Desk
Share: