The National Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) had 2 rounds of talks: 1st round details.

The National Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) had 2 rounds of talks: 1st round details.

• A. 1st round included archipelagic states and focused on landlocked areas.
• B. 2nd round was successful; finally accepted by the archipelagic states.
• C. PH cannot defend against enemies to properties that are part of RES NULLIUS.
• D. There were three rounds.

Answer: (B)

The idea being tested is how progress in UNCLOS negotiations depended on archipelagic states accepting a workable balance in the rounds of talks. The best answer highlights that the second round reached a point where archipelagic states could accept the proposed compromises, which is crucial for moving toward a final treaty. This shows that decisive momentum often comes when the key regional players—those with archipelagic geography—endorse the package, even if it requires concessions on baselines, waters, and navigational rights. The other options misstate the focus of the rounds (the first round isn’t accurately described as centered on landlocked areas), bring in irrelevant concepts (such as res nullius), or claim a structure (three rounds) that isn’t aligned with the scenario described.

The idea being tested is how progress in UNCLOS negotiations depended on archipelagic states accepting a workable balance in the rounds of talks. The best answer highlights that the second round reached a point where archipelagic states could accept the proposed compromises, which is crucial for moving toward a final treaty. This shows that decisive momentum often comes when the key regional players—those with archipelagic geography—endorse the package, even if it requires concessions on baselines, waters, and navigational rights. The other options misstate the focus of the rounds (the first round isn’t accurately described as centered on landlocked areas), bring in irrelevant concepts (such as res nullius), or claim a structure (three rounds) that isn’t aligned with the scenario described.