Ratification of UNCLOS is a win/win proposition for U.S. since we already have adopted convention practices into our laws

EVIDENCE
Ratification of UNCLOS is a win/win proposition for U.S. since we already have adopted convention practices into our laws

Joining is a win/win proposition. We will not have to change U.S. laws or practices, or give up rights, and we will benefit in a variety of ways. The United States already acts in accordance with the Convention for a number of reasons:

  • First, as noted, we are party to a group of 1958 treaties that contain many of the same provisions as the Convention.
  • Second, the United States heavily influenced the content of the 1982 Convention, based on U.S. law, policy, and practice.
  • Finally, the treaty has been the cornerstone of U.S. oceans policy since 1983, when President Reagan instructed the Executive Branch to act in accordance with the Convention’s provisions with the exception of deep seabed mining.

Thus, we are in the advantageous position in the case of this treaty that U.S. adherence to its terms is already time-tested and works well.

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Negroponte, John D. "Statement of John D. Negroponte: On Accession to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and Ratification of the 1994 Agreement regarding Part XI of the Convention ." Testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, September 27, 2007. [ More (13 quotes) ]

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