Viability of Unclos Amid Emerging Global Maritime Challenges

This open access book assesses UNCLOS’ resilience and vitality as a legal framework for addressing emerging global maritime challenges. Against the backdrop of a number of emerging global maritime challenges, including the rise of sea levels and the maintenance of maritime safety and connectivity, the preservation of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, and the promotion of marine scientific research, a contention has been made that UNCLOS does not provide sufficient or efficient regulation, and therefore, that countries should negotiate new legal provisions to complement or replace UNCLOS. Within this context, in the first part of the book, UNCLOS as a general well-established legal framework is reviewed. In the part that follows, an analysis of the positive points, limitations, and shortcomings of UNCLOS provisions in specific areas such as navigation rights, sea level rise, marine scientific research, and BBNJ is provided. The book goes on to a more individualized analysis and offers suggestions regarding the application of legal frameworks in UNCLOS to promote cooperation and manage maritime challenges in the South China Sea, an area where UNCLOS is often interpreted and applied with considerable variation.
The book serves as a distinctive resource for practitioners, researchers, lecturers, and students in international and maritime law. It is also a valuable reference for policymakers and government advisors who want to get a thorough understanding of the developments of UNCLOS.

Nguyen Thi Lan Anh, Director General of the East Sea Institute, the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, is Expert in international law and the law of the sea. Her research area includes issues related to ocean law and policy, maritime boundary delimitation, maritime security and safety, and Vietnam’s foreign policy with a focus on the South China Sea. Prof. Lan Anh regularly offers legal and policy advice to the government agencies of Vietnam as well as international and regional organizations in different legal and foreign policy issues. Prof. Lan Anh also often participates as a resource person or leads Vietnamese delegations to participate in track 2 and 1.5 initiatives in the region and around the world. In addition to her portfolio at the East Sea Institute, Prof. Lan Anh is equally in charge of the Faculty of International Law of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam where she reads international law and law of the sea. Before her current post, Prof. Lan Anh served as Deputy Head of Mission of the Vietnam’s Embassy in the UK.

Dr. Vu Hai Dang is an Expert at the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam. He is Head of Southeast Asia Group of the East Sea Institute. His area of expertise includes international law, law of the sea, and international environmental law with a geographical focus on Southeast Asia and the South China Sea. He has experience working in the fields of private practice, civil service, diplomacy, and academia.