UNCLOS

The overarching legal framework for governance of marine ABNJ is provided by the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), a fundamental international treaty on oceans and the regulation of marine issues. As of July 2019, there are 168 Parties to UNCLOS. Some additional signatories haven't yet ratified the Convention, and some states haven't signed at all (see here for a complete and up-to-date list). The implementation of UNCLOS is overseen by the UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS< ), based at the UN Headquarters in New York City, USA.