United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea

The Philippines commemorated the 10th anniversary of a 2016 arbitration ruling that invalidated China's expansive claims in the South China Sea. China rejected the ruling as illegal, while the U.S. reiterated its commitment to defend the Philippines under their security treaty. Territorial disputes in the region remain a flashpoint involving multiple nations.

An Indian jurist has been elected as a judge at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS). ITLOS is an independent judicial body established by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, tasked with resolving disputes related to the Convention's interpretation or application.

The U.S. and Japan signed a Memorandum of Cooperation on deep-sea mineral resource development, bypassing the International Seabed Authority (ISA) which governs the deep seabed under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The U.S., not a UNCLOS signatory, relies on its 1980 Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act, while Japan reaffirmed its commitment to the ISA process. The agreement raises questions about UNCLOS's viability as countries seek to exploit deep-sea resources.

Thailand will join a UN arbitration process initiated by Cambodia to resolve a maritime boundary dispute. Cambodia launched a compulsory conciliation under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) after Thailand unilaterally ended a 2001 framework pact for talks on a disputed maritime belt.

A cargo ship was attacked by small craft near the Strait of Hormuz, 11 nautical miles west of Sirik, Iran, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). All crew members were reported safe, and no environmental impact was noted, but the incident highlights heightened tensions over Iran's claims to control the strategic waterway. Iranian officials, including parliament deputy speaker Ali Nikzad, have asserted Tehran's intent to maintain influence in the region.