{"id":117105,"date":"2026-08-04T12:53:02","date_gmt":"2026-08-04T07:23:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=117105"},"modified":"2026-08-04T12:53:02","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T07:23:02","slug":"unclos-maritime-zones","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/unclos-maritime-zones\/","title":{"rendered":"UNCLOS Maritime Zones, EEZ, Rights, Conferences, Significance"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> acts as a global <\/span><b>rulebook for oceans<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, guiding how countries use and manage marine spaces. It divides the seas into different <\/span><b>maritime zones<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, each with specific <\/span><b>rights and responsibilities<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for coastal states. These zones help nations utilize <\/span><b>marine resources<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, ensure <\/span><b>environmental protection<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and maintain <\/span><b>maritime security<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><b>UNCLOS Maritime Zones<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are discussed in detail in this article.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>UNCLOS Maritime Zones<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/united-nations-convention-on-the-law-of-the-sea\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)<\/b><\/a><b>, 1982<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, often called the <\/span><b>\u201cLaw of the Sea\u201d<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, is an <\/span><b>international treaty<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that provides a <\/span><b>comprehensive legal framework<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for the use and governance of the world\u2019s oceans.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It divides marine areas into <\/span><b>distinct maritime zones<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> such as <\/span><b>Internal Waters, Territorial Sea, Contiguous Zone, <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/eez\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Exclusive Economic Zone<\/b><\/a><b> (EEZ), and High Seas<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, each having a <\/span><b>different legal status<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UNCLOS is the <\/span><b>only global convention<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that clearly defines <\/span><b>state jurisdiction in maritime spaces<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, balancing the interests of <\/span><b>coastal states<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the <\/span><b>international community<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It forms the <\/span><b>backbone of offshore governance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, regulating activities like <\/span><b>navigation, resource exploitation, environmental protection, and maritime security<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The convention also outlines the <\/span><b>rights and responsibilities of states<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> across these <\/span><b>five concentric zones<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, ensuring <\/span><b>peaceful and sustainable use of oceans<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Baseline (Starting Point of Maritime Zones)<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>baseline<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the <\/span><b>low-water line along the coast<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as officially recognized by a coastal state.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It serves as the <\/span><b>reference line<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from which all maritime zones like the <\/span><b>Territorial Sea, EEZ, and Contiguous Zone<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are measured.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Two main types: <\/span><b>Normal Baseline (Article 5)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>Straight Baseline (Article 7 of UNCLOS)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Internal Waters<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Internal Waters<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> lie on the <\/span><b>landward side of the baseline<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and include areas like <\/span><b>bays, ports, rivers, inlets, and coastal lakes connected to the sea<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The coastal state exercises <\/span><b>full sovereignty<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, similar to its <\/span><b>land territory<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Foreign vessels <\/span><b>do not have the right of innocent passage<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> unless specifically permitted.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The state can <\/span><b>regulate entry, navigation, and security<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including <\/span><b>Port State Control<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> measures.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Territorial Sea (Up to 12 Nautical Miles)<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Extends up to <\/span><b>12 nautical miles (nm)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from the baseline (<\/span><b>Article 3 of UNCLOS<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><b>nautical mile = 1.85 km<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, based on the <\/span><b>Earth\u2019s latitude measurement<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coastal states enjoy <\/span><b>complete sovereignty<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> over:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Water surface<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Seabed and subsoil<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Airspace above<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, this sovereignty is subject to the <\/span><b>Right of Innocent Passage<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, meaning:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Foreign ships can pass through as long as it is <\/span><b>not harmful to peace, security, or order<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coastal states can <\/span><b>temporarily suspend<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> this right for security reasons.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Contiguous Zone (Up to 24 Nautical Miles)<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Extends up to <\/span><b>24 nautical miles<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from the baseline.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Acts as a <\/span><b>buffer or intermediary zone<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> between the <\/span><b>Territorial Sea and High Seas<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coastal states do not have full sovereignty but have <\/span><b>limited enforcement powers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prevent violations of <\/span><b>customs, fiscal, immigration, and sanitary laws<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Punish offences committed within their territory or territorial waters.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jurisdiction is limited mainly to the <\/span><b>surface and seabed<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, not full control over <\/span><b>airspace<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) (Up to 200 Nautical Miles)<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Extends up to <\/span><b>200 nautical miles<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from the baseline.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coastal states have <\/span><b>sovereign rights (not full sovereignty)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Exploration and exploitation of natural resources<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (living and non-living).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Conservation and management of marine resources<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Activities like <\/span><b>energy generation from water, currents, and wind<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Important limitation:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other states retain <\/span><b>freedom of navigation and overflight<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thus, EEZ represents a balance between <\/span><b>resource rights of coastal states<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>global maritime freedoms<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Continental Shelf<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/continental-shelf\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Continental Shelf<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Refers to the <\/span><b>seabed and subsoil<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> beyond the <\/span><b>Territorial Sea<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, forming the <\/span><b>natural extension of the landmass<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coastal states have <\/span><b>exclusive sovereign rights<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to <\/span><b>explore and exploit mineral and non-living resources<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It does <\/span><b>not include water column rights<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, unlike EEZ.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can extend beyond <\/span><b>200 nm<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in certain geological conditions.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>High Seas<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>High Seas<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> lie <\/span><b>beyond the EEZ<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and are <\/span><b>outside national jurisdiction<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Considered the <\/span><b>\u201ccommon heritage of mankind\u201d<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All states enjoy <\/span><b>freedoms such as<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Navigation<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Overflight<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Fishing (subject to regulations)<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Marine scientific research<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Activities must be used only for <\/span><b>peaceful purposes<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> under international law.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>UNCLOS Conferences<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> developed over time through <\/span><b>three major international conferences<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These conferences were organized to create a <\/span><b>common legal framework for oceans<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, as countries had <\/span><b>conflicting claims over maritime boundaries and resources<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The journey from <\/span><b>UNCLOS I to UNCLOS III<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> shows how global consensus gradually evolved to form the present <\/span><b>Law of the Sea system<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>UNCLOS I (1958)<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>first United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS I)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was held in <\/span><b>Geneva, Switzerland<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with discussions beginning in <\/span><b>1956<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and final agreements adopted in <\/span><b>1958<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, marking the <\/span><b>first global effort to codify international maritime law<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It resulted in the adoption of <\/span><b>four major conventions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> dealing with the <\/span><b>Territorial Sea and Contiguous Zone, High Seas, Continental Shelf, and Fishing &amp; Conservation of Living Resources<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, thereby laying the <\/span><b>initial legal foundation for ocean governance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite this progress, the conference failed to reach agreement on the <\/span><b>standard width of the Territorial Sea<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, reflecting differences between countries and leaving the framework <\/span><b>incomplete and limited in scope<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>UNCLOS II (1960)<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>second conference (UNCLOS II)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was again held in <\/span><b>Geneva in 1960<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as a <\/span><b>short follow-up meeting<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to address unresolved issues from UNCLOS I, especially regarding <\/span><b>territorial sea limits and fishing rights<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The conference aimed to create a <\/span><b>clear and universally accepted rule<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on maritime boundaries, but it ultimately <\/span><b>failed to produce any new agreements or treaties<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The failure occurred by a <\/span><b>very narrow margin (one vote short of the required majority)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, highlighting the <\/span><b>continued disagreements between coastal states seeking greater control and maritime powers supporting freedom of navigation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>UNCLOS III (1973-1982)<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>third and most significant conference (UNCLOS III)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was held from <\/span><b>1973 to 1982<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in <\/span><b>New York and Geneva<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, driven by increasing <\/span><b>global conflicts over ocean resources, maritime boundaries, and strategic interests<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This conference successfully produced the <\/span><b>comprehensive UNCLOS (1982) treaty<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which clearly defined <\/span><b>maritime zones such as Territorial Sea, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and High Seas<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and established a <\/span><b>complete legal framework for ocean governance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It introduced key provisions related to <\/span><b>navigation rights, deep seabed mining, marine scientific research, environmental protection, and dispute settlement mechanisms<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, making it a <\/span><b>holistic and modern law of the sea<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The convention came into force on <\/span><b>16 November 1994<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, after sufficient ratifications, and also led to the creation of institutions like the <\/span><b>International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, strengthening <\/span><b>global maritime dispute resolution<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Significance of UNCLOS Maritime Zones<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> establishes a <\/span><b>uniform and comprehensive legal framework for oceans<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, bringing clarity to maritime boundaries and significantly <\/span><b>reducing conflicts between states<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> over sea areas and resources.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It ensures a <\/span><b>balanced and equitable sharing of marine resources<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by recognizing the rights of <\/span><b>coastal states<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> over nearby waters while also protecting the <\/span><b>collective interests of the international community<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, especially in areas beyond national jurisdiction.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UNCLOS plays a vital role in supporting <\/span><b>global trade and navigation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, as it guarantees <\/span><b>freedom of navigation and overflight<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which is essential for international shipping routes that carry the majority of the world\u2019s trade.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The convention promotes <\/span><b>marine environmental protection<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by setting rules to prevent <\/span><b>pollution, overfishing, and habitat destruction<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, thereby encouraging the <\/span><b>sustainable use of ocean resources for future generations<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It provides an effective system for <\/span><b>peaceful dispute resolution<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> through legal mechanisms and institutions, helping countries settle maritime disagreements such as those in the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/facts-about-south-china-sea\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>South China Sea<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/east-china-sea\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>East China Sea<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> without resorting to conflict.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UNCLOS also supports <\/span><b>marine scientific research and technological development<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, enabling countries to explore and study ocean resources while maintaining <\/span><b>international cooperation and data sharing<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>UNCLOS Maritime Zones define the legal rights and responsibilities of coastal states across Internal Waters, Territorial Sea, Contiguous Zone, EEZ, Continental Shelf and High Seas.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29,"featured_media":117006,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[786],"tags":[4935,5102,9239],"class_list":["post-117105","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-general-studies","tag-geography","tag-geography-notes","tag-unclos-maritime-zones","no-featured-image-padding"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117105","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/29"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=117105"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117105\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":117124,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117105\/revisions\/117124"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/117006"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=117105"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=117105"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=117105"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}