U.S. ratification of the Treaty is supported by a diverse group of stakeholders that includes business interests, energy companies and conservationists along with the highest levels of the U.S. military. Browse the video playlist below to hear Congressional testimonies on the Treaty, as well as statements from politicians, military officials and national security experts. Also, click here to view prepared statements and other resources from specific hearings and events. A detailed list of people who support the Treaty is available on the Current Supporters of Ratification page.
In March, the Senate Armed Services Committee held a hearing that featured testimony by the Commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command, General Victor Renuart, Jr. During an exchange with Senator Begich of Alaska, the Commander emphasized how the UN Law of the Sea Treaty is critical to the U.S. getting a seat at the table during important international discussions.
Foreign Policy Priorities in the FY2011 International Affairs Budget
Testimony Before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
Foreign Policy Priorities in the FY2011 International Affairs Budget
Secretary Clinton:
“At the same time, we are developing a new architecture of cooperation to meet transnational global challenges like climate change and the use of our planet’s oceans. With regard to the latter, I want to reiterate my support for U.S. accession to the Convention on the Law of the Sea. Our country stands to gain immensely from this treaty. Everything we know from what we are picking up with respect to other countries’ use of the tools under the Law of the Sea demonstrates that we will lose out, in economic and resource rights, in terms of environmental interests, and national security.”
Senator Lugar:
“I appreciate your mention of the Law of the Sea treaty. I’ve just come from a conference with regard to Russia and Russian aspirations. It was pointed out that with the melting of the Arctic, now huge oil resources, perhaps larger than those of Saudi Arabia, have been uncovered. The Russians immediately sent a ship up and planted a flag. This was a grandiose gesture. It doesn’t establish that they’re going to be drilling shortly. But the fact is that this is going to be an area of huge contention, and the need to have some structure in which American interests can come to the fore, the issue has always been sovereignty with regard to that. And sovereignty is the issue, but we’ve got to pin down our sovereignty.”
Secretary Clinton:
“Thank you for what you said about the Law of the Sea. I could not agree with you more. The Law of the Sea provides commercial rights to the mining of what is in the sea beds of the territories that are claimable under sovereignty provisions in the treaty. I believe with all my heart that we are going to be so sorry if we don’t get this up and going, and I know that you and the Chairman are committed to doing so. And if there’s more that we need to do from the Administration side, Mr. Chairman, I will get it done. You just – you give me the date and we’ll have the people here to testify, because I want everybody on the committee and the Congress to know what’s at stake here.”
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in support of ratification of the Law of the Sea
Letter from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Senator John Kerry and Senator Richard Lugar in support of ratification of the Law of the Sea.
“The United States, as a major maritime power, the country with the largest exclusive economic zone, and one of the largest continental shelves, stands to gain more from this treaty in terms of economic and resource rights than any other country. Having a seat at the table as a party would allow the United States to participate more effectively in the interpretation and development of the convention and the ability to participate formally in its institutions.”
-Secretary Clinton
Read the letter from Secretary Clinton to Senator Kerry:
October 16, 2009
The Honorable John F. Kerry, Chairman
Committee on Foreign Relations
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Mr. Chairman,
Recognizing the Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s intention to consider the Convention on the Law of the Sea, I offer my strong support for U.S. accession to the convention.
As you are aware, the convention protects and advances the national security, economic, and environmental interests of the United States. In particular, the convention codifies navigational rights and freedoms critical to U.S. military and commercial vessels and secures U.S. economic rights to natural resources off-shore. In addition, as a party, the United States would have access to procedures that would maximize international recognition and legal certainty for U.S. sovereign rights over offshore resources (including minerals) beyond 200 miles of our coastline.
The United States, as a major maritime power, the country with the largest exclusive economic zone, and one of the largest continental shelves, stands to gain more from this treaty in terms of economic and resource rights than any other country. Having a seat at the table as a party would allow the United States to participate more effectively in the interpretation and development of the convention and the ability to participate formally in its institutions.
As the committee proceeds toward hearings on the convention, the Department of State stands ready to facilitate the Senate’s consideration of this treaty by providing witnesses, testimony, and overall support.
I appreciate your leadership in our efforts to gain the necessary support for advice and consent to accession of this vitally important treaty.
