UNCLOS and international law governing submarine cables (1982–present)

1. ICPC formalizes global cooperation on cable protection

   May 22, 1958Labels: International Cable, Submarine cables

   • ICPC About
   • ICPC History

2. UNCLOS opened for signature at Montego Bay

   Dec 10, 1982Labels: UNCLOS, Montego Bay

   • UN Oceans
   • UN Overview

3. UNCLOS defines high-seas freedom to lay cables

   Dec 10, 1982Labels: UNCLOS, High Seas

   • UN Text
   • UN Overview

4. Part XI Implementation Agreement is adopted

   Jul 28, 1994Labels: Part XI, Deep seabed

   • UN Part XI
   • UN Text

5. UNCLOS enters into force and becomes binding

   Nov 16, 1994Labels: UNCLOS, Ratification

   • UN Status
   • UN Overview

6. International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea begins work

   Oct 1, 1996Labels: ITLOS, UNCLOS dispute

   • ITLOS
   • Wiki ITLOS

7. BBNJ Agreement is adopted under UNCLOS

   Jun 19, 2023Labels: BBNJ Agreement, High Seas

   • UN BBNJ
   • IISD ENB

8. BBNJ Agreement opens for signature at UN

   Sep 20, 2023Labels: BBNJ Agreement, United Nations

   • UN BBNJ
   • CRS

9. BBNJ reaches 60 ratifications threshold

   Sep 19, 2025Labels: BBNJ Agreement, Ratification

   • CRS
   • UN BBNJ

10. BBNJ Agreement closes for signature

    Sep 20, 2025Labels: BBNJ Agreement, Signature period

    • UN BBNJ

11. BBNJ Agreement enters into force

    Jan 17, 2026Labels: BBNJ Agreement, UNCLOS implementing

    • UN BBNJ
    • CRS

12. UNCLOS legal order continues expanding via implementing agreements

    Mar 1, 2026Labels: UNCLOS, Implementing agreements

    • UN Part XI
    • UN BBNJ