Ratification of UNCLOS 1982 and the Development of a WebGIS System for Indonesia’s Maritime Boundaries
Abstract
The 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) formally recognized the concept of an archipelagic state, first introduced by Indonesia through the Djuanda Declaration in 1957. This declaration marked a major shift from fragmented colonial-era maritime boundaries to a unified archipelagic principle, which was later reinforced when Indonesia ratified UNCLOS through Law No. 17 of 1985. This legal framework not only strengthened Indonesia’s sovereignty over its archipelagic waters but also shaped policies on resource management, boundary negotiations, and national defense. As Indonesia shares maritime borders with ten neighboring countries, managing these boundaries is a critical challenge. To address this, the present study develops a WebGIS-based system that visualizes Indonesia’s maritime boundaries interactively using official, digitally processed geospatial data. The platform allows flexible exploration of maritime limits, integrates modern mapping technologies, and offers practical support for boundary-related issues. In line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 14 and SDG 16), the system delivers an accessible interactive map that can enhance public literacy, support academic research, inform policy-making, and contribute to maritime diplomacy. Ultimately, this WebGIS aims to promote transparency and strengthen public awareness of Indonesia’s maritime territories.
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