Analysis of the Origin of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea from the Perspective of International Politics
The Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea(UNCLOS Ⅲ)is the typical embodiment and an important part of a major turn in the world history in the 1960s and 1970s,the origin of which can be explained within the framework of international politics.Broadly speaking,four aspects of development drive the conference to be convened.Firstly,the technological progress and mankind's increased ability to exploit marine resources have resulted in the appearance of worldwide problems of marine resources and environmental pollution,so the need arises to curb unilateral actions and international conflicts at the legal level.Secondly,the developing countries have launched an assault on the old order of sea law based on the principle of"freedom of the sea"in the form of a united struggle,and have put forward a series of claims for the expansion of national maritime jurisdiction in the hope that a new order of sea law will be reshaped so as to endow these claims with legality.Thirdly,the Soviet Union,which has grown into a major maritime power,changes its position on maritime interests,and takes the initiative to contact the United States to reach a consensus on convening an international conference,establishing a free transit system through the 12-mile territorial sea and international straits.Fourthly,the appearance of deep-sea mining needs and its caused debate on the problems of the legal status of the international seabed are the immediate motivation for the conference.While influencing the core agenda of the UNCLOS Ⅲ,the above-mentioned four aspects determine the basic pattern of games and the nature of interests trade between the developing countries and the great maritime powers.
The Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Seaproblem of marine resources and environmentdeveloping countryfreedom of the seaissue of international seabed