Establishment, Notification, and Maintenance: The Package of State Practice at the Heart of the Pacific Islands Forum Declaration on Preserving Maritime Zones

In August 2021, Pacific Islands Forum Leaders issued the Declaration on Preserving Maritime Zones in Face of Climate Change-Related Sea-Level Rise (PIF Declaration), declaring their intention that maritime zones, and rights entitlements flowing from those would be maintained notwithstanding effects sea-level rise. This article offers a commentary PIF context scholarly debate rise implications for baselines light its historical lineage. The Declaration’s significance lies giving prominence to package state practice, comprising establishment zones using fixed methods, notification international community, maintenance over time. examines evidence such practice among members, considers how advances claim preservation may achieved through interpretation application UN Convention Law Sea.