A Constitution for the Oceans: How Would U.S. Ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) affect U.S. National Interests
Abstract
As the United Nations marked the 40th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in 2022, the United States remains on the short list of nations - 15 Member States - that are not parties to this convention. However, as Arctic ice melts at increasingly rapid rates and China's excessive claims in the South China Sea (SCS) threaten freedom of the seas, sovereignty, and stability of regional neighbors, the economic and national security implications of the United States' conspicuous absence on the list of State Parties to UNCLOS merit reexamination. Advocates in favor of the status quo claim U.S. accession to UNCLOS would, at best, not meaningfully contribute to enhancing national security or economic prosperity, and at worst, forfeit U.S. sovereignty and exclusive rights to natural resources, incur financial losses, and put national security at risk. However, an analysis of these arguments reveals that these concerns range from short-sighted to cavalier and this paper ultimately concludes that accession to the convention would safeguard U.S. sovereign rights over natural resources, enhance international credibility and diplomatic power, boost the economy, and stabilize the world order to harden the United States against future disputes from revisionist powers and threats to national security.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 31, 2023
- Accession Number
- AD1206100
Entities
People
- Emily E Geddes
Organizations
- Naval War College