= United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The UNCLOS was adopted on 10th December 1982 and came into force on 16th November 1994. It defines and delimits maritime spaces, rights and obligations of the States over these areas, specifically those relating to navigation, use of natural resources and protection and preservation of the marine environment. It also created the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), a tribunal which is competent to hear any dispute regarding the interpretation and application of the UNCLOS.