Name two international conventions or norms that govern borders and territorial disputes, and briefly state their relevance.

• A. UNCLOS governs maritime boundaries and resources; Montevideo Convention defines statehood criteria for recognition and territory.
• B. Kyoto Protocol governs borders; Vienna Convention defines statehood.
• C. Geneva Conventions govern borders; Paris Agreement defines statehood.
• D. Maastricht Treaty governs borders; Rio Declaration defines statehood.

Answer: (A)

Borders and territorial disputes are governed by international-law frameworks that define how space is claimed, managed, and recognized. One major framework is UNCLOS, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the rules for delimiting maritime boundaries and accessing sea-based resources. It lays out concepts like territorial seas, exclusive economic zones, and continental shelves and includes mechanisms for resolving boundary disputes, making it directly relevant to how borders at sea are drawn and who can exploit the adjacent resources.

Another key norm is the Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States, which sets out the criteria for statehood—defined territory, a permanent population, a government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other states. This defines who has the standing to claim and defend territory and how recognition under international law shapes disputes over sovereignty.

Together, these frameworks show how borders are regulated: UNCLOS handles the division and use of space at sea, while the Montevideo Convention addresses the legitimacy of statehood and territorial claims on land. Other treaties listed focus on climate, humanitarian law, or regional integration and do not primarily govern borders or territorial claims.