United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea No. 485

Adopted 2003
Reaffirmed 2005
Reaffirmed 2006
Reaffirmed 2007

Whereas, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea has been ratified by the vast majority of the states in the world;

Whereas, the United States of America has failed to sign the treaty;

Whereas, the Law of the Sea Convention is the single leading source of international law as it pertains to the world's oceans;

Whereas, the Law of the Sea Convention creates treaties to set up the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, the International Seabed Authority, and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea;

Whereas, the United States, as a non-signatory state, is unable to participate in shaping the Law of the Sea by holding seats in these bodies;

Whereas, the Law of the Sea Convention is protecting the world's waters from environmental damage and creating a nonviolent dispute resolution system for sea disputes.

Therefore, Americans for Democratic Action urges that:

The President to sign the Law of the Sea Convention promptly.
The President to press the Senate for prompt ratification of the Law of the Sea Convention by the Senate.
The Senate to ratify the Law of the Sea Convention promptly.

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No. 485
Foreign and Military Policy Commission