In accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Coastal States can extend their continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles if the outer edge of the continental margin extends beyond that distance. Coastal States shall make their interpretation and application of relevant provisions of UNCLOS and submit scientific information on the limits of the continental shelf to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS). At the same time, the rapid progress in the Earth Sciences since the adoption of UNCLOS raises the question of how to properly interpret and apply the provisions of UNCLOS when making submission to CLCS.

In light of these developments, OPRF held a "Seminar on the Establishment of the Outer Limits of the Continental Shelf beyond 200 Nautical Miles under UNCLOS" on February 27th. The purpose of the seminar was to provide an opportunity to share views about the relevant provisions on the continental shelf with various experts, such as international lawyers, practitioners and scientists, leading to a better understanding of the problem and how it should be dealt with.

At the seminar, the issue of the continental shelf was addressed from international legal perspectives as well as from scientific and practical ones. In Session One, the legal regime of the extended continental shelf was discussed. Lectures were delivered on how article 76 of UNCLOS defines the continental shelf, what is needed for the extension of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles, and how article 82 stipulates the revenue sharing scheme to be applied to the exploitation of resources on the extended continental shelf. At the following session, experts addressed the issues such practical difficulties as how article 76 is to be applied from the perspective of the Earth Science, and how CLCS deals with the submissions by coastal States. At both sessions, active discussions were held between lecturers and participants of the seminar. Dr. Yong Ahn Park (Korea) and Dr. Abu Bakar Jaafar (Malaysia), both members of the CLCS, were also in attendance.

A reception was held after the seminar with many participants. They enjoyed and exchanged views on the continental shelf issues. We were honored with the presence and greetings of Mr. Tetsuzo Fuyushiba, Minister for Ocean Policy.