1. United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) By: Omar Abdulakder P.4 5/2/10

2.  UNCLOS was first drafted in its first convention in 1956, however, the ‘Third’ and last convention (UNCLOS III)-in which over 160 nations participated in-was drafted in 1967 and lasted until 1982. UNCLOS was amended and came into force in 1994.  It defines the rights and responsibilities of nations in their use of the world's oceans, establishing guidelines for businesses, the environment, and the management of marine natural resources.  Although the U.S helped shape and signed onto the 1994 agreement, it hasn’t ratified it to date.

3.  The Secretary General of the UN receives instruments of ratification and accession and the UN provides support for meetings of states party to the Convention, but the UN has no direct operational role in the implementation of the Convention.  Organizations such as the International Maritime Organization, International Whaling Commission, and International Seabed Authority take on role of implementation/operation.