Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi (Photo: Tempco/VOV)

Addressing a conference to mark 40 years of the UNCLOS held in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Tuesday, Mrs. Retno emphasized that international law, including UNCLOS, must be respected as the main criteria to determine nation’s actions at sea.

But she acknowledged that UNCLOS is challenged by geopolitical tensions, which are likely to escalate to conflicts.

Veeramalla Anjaiah, an expert of the Institute of Southeast Asian Affairs in Indonesia, underlined the importance UNCLOS over the past 40 years.

"It’s like a bible for maritime law to control and settle all the disputes and regulate all the maritime issues. UNCLOS is very important to solve maritime disputes and how to distribute resources," the expert said.