UNCLOS Part XI Agreement: Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982

UNCLOS Part XI conceptualises the ocean floor beyond national jurisdiction (“the Area”) as the common heritage of humankind, to be managed sustainably and in a way that benefits everyone equitably. The provisions in UNCLOS Part XI provided a legal basis to prevent benefits from the exploitation of mineral resources in the Area being monopolised by wealthy nations and/or powerful corporations, instead articulating a commitment to sustainable and equitable development. Before UNCLOS entered into force, the 1994 Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. Since it entered into force in 1996 it has effectively become an integral part of UNCLOS Part XI. The 1994 agreement establishes the International Seabed Authority (ISA) as the organization through which Parties to UNCLOS organize and control activities in the Area, particularly with respect to seabed mining and mineral related activities. It obliges the ISA to develop and implement rules and regulations in line with the regime outlined in UNCLOS Part XI. These rules and regulations are, at the time of writing (2026), under development (including the Mining Code).